I love persimmons.
That silky shiny orange outer layer that softens into a thin tender skin as it ripens. Inside, a gooey sweet pulp turns into a succulent jelly that simply melts in your mouth.
I used to eat persimmons fresh off the tree in California. And every time I bite into one here in cold NYC, I can almost taste the California sunshine.
But as the sweet taste fades, I have to wonder- Are persimmons healthy or simply nature's tree candy?
Keep reading for the surprising reason persimmons are indeed a super food.....
Persimmons, let's look at the facts.
Persimmon Nutrition Facts
per 1 fruit, 2 ½"
calories: 118
fat: 0 grams
fiber: 6 grams (24% RDA)
protein: 1 gram
Vitamin A: 55% RDA
Vitamin C: 21% RDA
Vitamin B6: 8% RDA
Manganese: 30% RDA
Persimmons are a great source of vitamin A, B6, C and manganese.
And...
Wow! 6 grams of fiber. That is impressive for such a tiny fruit.
Compare that to a large apple with similar calorie content:
Apple
116 calories
5 grams fiber
Are you shocked? A tiny persimmon has more fiber than a large apple.
More Fiber than Fiber One brand Yogurt
FiberOne brand yogurt boasts 20% RDA fiber in each yogurt. So clearly, you can simply eat one yummy persimmon and get more fiber than in the FiberOne Yogurt.
Yay Mother Nature.
For the Parents....
So stick a persimmon in you child's lunchbox where that apple usually goes- your child might be a bit confused, but once they bite down they will be in for a sweet super food surprise.
Sonya Combs says
If you're eating the ones you can buy in the grocery and you like them you should really look into wild persimmons....I live in Kentucky and though the wild ones are measurably smaller they have a taste like no other fruit I've ever eaten! It's like it has spices already added to it..... I make cookies during the holidays and pudding for my Son and Dad (think brownie texture), but my favorite is to eat them raw..... They're falling off the trees right now so I've worked up over 30lbs. which works up to 18 cups of pulp!
Al47 says
The persimmon is ripe when it changes its color from orange to a reddish orange one, the fruit softens almost to the point of breaking it.
Kathy says
Faye,
Awesome question. Wait until they are very tender to the touch. You can eat them when they are moderately ripe, or for a really sweet treat wait until they are almost mushy and super ripe!
You are essentially waiting for the starches inside to turn into sugars. Just like how a banana ripens naturally after it has been picked from the tree.
So if it is still firm like a pear or even a banana- don't eat it yet. Wait until it feels like a vine-ripened tomato in softness.
And then in say a few days the mush factor will kick in.
...just don't let it get too mushy or dark in color. That could mean your persimmon has gone bad.
My Rule: Soft tomato texture? Eat now or in a day...
Happy eating!
Kathy
Kathy says
Faye,Awesome question. Wait until they are very tender to the touch. You can eat them when they are moderately ripe, or for a really sweet treat wait until they are almost mushy and super ripe! You are essentially waiting for the starches inside to turn into sugars. Just like how a banana ripens naturally after it has been picked from the tree.So if it is still firm like a pear or even a banana- don't eat it yet. Wait until it feels like a vine-ripened tomato in softness.And then in say a few days the mush factor will kick in....just don't let it get too mushy or dark in color. That could mean your persimmon has gone bad. My Rule: Soft tomato texture? Eat now or in a day...Happy eating!Kathy
Kathy says
Faye,
Awesome question. Wait until they are very tender to the touch. You can eat them when they are moderately ripe, or for a really sweet treat wait until they are almost mushy and super ripe!
You are essentially waiting for the starches inside to turn into sugars. Just like how a banana ripens naturally after it has been picked from the tree.
So if it is still firm like a pear or even a banana- don't eat it yet. Wait until it feels like a vine-ripened tomato in softness.
And then in say a few days the mush factor will kick in.
...just don't let it get too mushy or dark in color. That could mean your persimmon has gone bad.
My Rule: Soft tomato texture? Eat now or in a day...
Happy eating!
Kathy
Faye says
I never know when persimmons are ripe. Any help?
Faye says
I never know when persimmons are ripe. Any help?
Faye says
I never know when persimmons are ripe. Any help?