Pucker Up for Persimmons

When looking to amp up your diet, it’s important to work in some variety. Have you ever considered persimmons? These quirky, sometimes slightly sour fruits offer quite a few of the vitamins and minerals needed to keep you going.

Fresh persimmons are bright, reddish-orange fruits that resemble tomatoes. These spherical treats are often eaten when slightly soft, and some varieties can be used in baking. Like most yellow and orange produce items, persimmons are valued for their ability to help maintain vision and heart health. They also promote a healthy immune system, offering a vitamin C boost that can’t be beat.

Persimmons are a fantastic source of vitamins A and C, and they also offer a solid dose of manganese. This mineral aids in maintaining normal blood sugar levels, helps the body process cholesterol and fatty acids, and strengthens bones. Persimmons also contain vitamin B6 and potassium.

Soluble fiber is also found in persimmons, which is great news for those looking to increase heart health. Consuming this type of fiber has been shown to lower blood sugar levels and ward off heart disease.

If you don’t live in a region where fresh persimmons are readily available, don’t fret. Dried persimmons offer most of the same health benefits, along with a buttery, smooth texture and rich flavor. These treats, which contain no additional sugar or other additives, can be nibbled as a nutritious snack or used to make persimmon tea.

Persimmon tea is a natural acid reflux remedy that is most prevalent in Asian herbal medicine. The brew, which is sometimes known as persimmon punch is a daily digestive aid, and making it from scratch is simple.

Combine 2 quarts of water, ½ cup of thinly sliced ginger and three cinnamon sticks in a saucepan and simmer the ingredients over medium heat for 30 minutes. Remove the tea from the heat and pour it through a fine mesh strainer to remove the ginger and cinnamon sticks. Add 1 cup of dried persimmons and 1-½ cups of white sugar to the mixture and allow it to cool. Put it in the refrigerator overnight, then serve it cold with a teaspoon of pine nuts floating on top of each cup if desired. If you don’t like to use white sugar in cooking, try substituting honey or another natural sweetener to taste.

Give persimmons a whirl, won’t you? Whether you’re using the fruit to treat an existing ailment like acid reflux or just looking to add some variety to your diet, persimmons offer solid nutrition and an addicting flavor that is truly unique.