The Secret of the Persimmon

Winter is in full swing, and the persimmon has been with us for several months. It is the sweetest and most readily available winter fruit, available since the end of September and continuing until March.

There is no need to limit its consumption to just one fruit per day, and it can be consumed as much as desired. However, a persimmon eaten unripe is a "poison" to the digestive system and causes significant damage. The same goes for any unripe fruit consumed before its time. Today, mainly varieties that undergo a ripening process are widespread in the country, softening and fully ripening after a few days on the shelf. In the past, when persimmons were sold without proper ripening processes, many people experienced digestive problems, accompanied by a feeling of astringency in the mouth.

Therefore, it is advisable to eat the persimmon after it softens slightly and in its fresh state. It can be added to various green leaf salads to enjoy a satisfying and nutritious meal.
There is only one organic persimmon grower in Israel, from the "Tiumph" variety, located at Kibbutz Dan in the Golan Heights. Thus, in various natural shops around the country, the fruit source is uniform, with differences only in size. The organic "Tiumph" fruit is an "astringent" variety marketed after full ripening.

There is also a "Fuya" variety that can be eaten hard straight from the tree, without a ripening process. It is not common in markets and is mainly found in private gardens and yards. The persimmon tree of the "Tiumph" variety is strong and more resistant to changes, yielding a large harvest. The fruit keeps well in refrigeration for a long time. On the other hand, the "Fuya" does not keep in refrigeration and must be marketed immediately after picking. The "Fuya" variety fruit contains seeds inside.

Like other fruits in nature, the persimmon is rich in a variety and abundance of vitamins and minerals. It is the richest fruit in beta carotene (Vitamin A) among the fruits in the country. This vitamin positively impacts skin health, vision, reduces cancer risk, boosts the immune system, and more. The amount of Vitamin A in a medium persimmon is about 200 mcg - enough to provide about half the daily required amount for children and about a quarter for an adult.