For those of you who know me, you will know that persimmons are one of my very favourite fruit. They are particularly special because they are in season around the time of my birthday, which makes them a bit more celebratory for me personally. Persimmons were not available in the UK, where I grew up before I moved to New Zealand, so that makes them even more special, as well as being totally delicious!
Persimmons are not just delicious however- they also contain health benefits. According to the website
persimmons are a good source of vitamins A and C. They also contain manganese, which helps the blood to clot. Persimmons contain antioxidants which help reduce the risk of many serious health conditions, including cancer and stroke.
The website
tells us that persimmons are also full of beneficial plant compounds. They also promote heart health, reduce inflammation, support healthy vision, and support a healthy digestive system.
That sounds like several many very good reasons to include them in our diet!
In the garden, a persimmon tree should be planted in full sun, with shelter from cold winds to ensure adequate leaf and shoot growth. Persimmons grow best when planted in spring or autumn - this gives the tree time to establish roots before the extreme heat of summer. It can take 3-5 years for a persimmon tree to bear fruit, and persimmons are harvested from mid-May - June. Persimmons can be fan-trained or espaliered, and they require a long growing season before the fruit is mature. (www.kings.co.nz)
Breakfast of Champions on this cold, frosty morning here at Harmony Gardens and Grub Ltd, was a persimmon pancake cooked on the wood burner in a cast iron frypan. Delicious, warming, and allergy-friendly! A great, healthy, yummy way to lift the spirits and start the day.
If you would like the recipe for this dish, along with all of our other gardening tips, recipes, and Green Fairy information, please feel free to sign up to our mailing list.
Thanks also to our good friend and Harmony Gardens O.G. Cilla for her beautiful design and woodburning on our new kitchen bench that you can see in the background under the persimmons 🤓🙏🌻 she is quite talented! It is a lovely background to display our beautiful persimmons, thank you 🍅