Persimmon is an eastern culture, a berry mentioned in the works of ancient Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato, Thales. Diospyros among the Greeks, persimmon in Hindi, persimon among the American Indians, and kaki among the Japanese belongs to the ebony family of the genus Ebenus. China is considered the birthplace of persimmons, where the “fruits of the gods” appeared more than two centuries ago. Then the “heart apple”, the “winter sun” spread throughout Asia. By the 19th century, persimmons began to be grown in all regions with tropical and subtropical climates. Persimmons ripen in late autumn, hence the name “winter sun”: the bright orange fruits delight with their ripe, sweet, fleshy pulp in winter. Nowadays, the oriental delicacy is prepared for future use in the form of jam, marshmallows, jam, and the berries are frozen. Another type of preparation: dried persimmon and dried persimmon. The elegant taste of the oriental delicacy makes it possible to use it instead of sweets.
In Japan, the fruits, subjected to the dehydration process, are used as an independent dish; there, dried persimmons are called “hoshigaki”. In Korea, low-alcohol punch is made from dried berries.
Dried and dried persimons retain all the beneficial qualities of fresh berries.
What is the difference between dried and dried berries?
The difference between dried diospyros fruits and dried fruits is the method of preparation. Berries are most often dried in the oven or in a dryer, and cut into thin plates. It takes eight to twenty hours to prepare dried persimmons.
Sun berries are dried as whole fruits under natural conditions. The skin is first removed from them. The fruits are hung on strings. Periodically, once a week, the persimmon is warmed up. Dried persimmon will be ready in a month and a half.
Those who see the finished product for the first time do not always like the way dried persimmons look. The white coating that forms on the surface can be mistaken for mold. But that's not true. Glucose released during the dehydration process sugars the fruits, enveloping them in white crystals.
Composition of dried persimmon
Already at the sight of the “winter sun” you can be charged with joy, vitality, and positivity. The composition of the red sun confirms external perception.
- In terms of iodine content, Diospyros fruits are not inferior to seaweed and fish.
- Persimmon is enriched with potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, manganese. Mineral elements are necessary for the proper functioning of human organs and systems.
- Among the vitamins, the first place in fruits is taken by vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Next come vitamins A, groups B, P, E, and beta-carotene.
- Natural sugars are found in dried berries in the form of sucrose and glucose.
- Of the organic acids, the most common are malic and citric. Persimmons contain rare betulinic acid.
- Antioxidant compounds, fiber, and pectins are included in dried berries.
With such a natural composition of valuable substances, persimmon berries are a low-calorie product. Depending on the variety, the calorie content of the fruit ranges from 53 to 62 calories per hundred grams. The Korolek variety has 53 calories, the Shokoladnitsa variety has 56 calories, the Sharon variety has 60 calories, the Bull's Heart and the Spanish variety have 62 calories.
With loss of moisture, calorie content increases. How many calories are in dried persimmons? The calorie content of the product increases to 235 calories per 100 grams. The calorie content of dried persimmon is 245 calories per 100 grams. The berries have a glycemic index of 50 units, which allows them to be eaten by diabetics, but in limited quantities.
Benefits of dried persimmons
Knowing the composition of the product, you can figure out why dried persimmon is useful.
- The berry has a beneficial effect on the digestive organs, soothes inflammation, and prevents bleeding.
- Dried and dried persimmon improves appetite.
- Eating dry and dried berries prevents hemorrhoids and cures the disease.
- The fruits of the sun in dried, dried form are able to remove waste and toxins from the body.
- Persimmon strengthens the walls of blood vessels, normalizes blood pressure, accelerates blood circulation, and improves the functioning of the heart muscle.
- Potassium-rich product fights cough.
- The unique betulinic acid contained in dried berries resists cancer cells.
- Dried, dried persimmon fruits in ground form are used for healing wounds, as an anti-inflammatory agent.
- Regular consumption of healthy berries strengthens the immune system and has a rejuvenating effect on the entire body as a whole.
- The benefit of dried persimmon for the body lies in its high content of ascorbic acid, which fights viruses.
- The beneficial properties of dried persimmon are complemented by the beta-carotene and zeaxanthin it contains, which improve vision and have a beneficial effect on eye health.
- The iron contained in berries performs a hematopoietic function and increases hemoglobin levels.
- Dry fruits can reduce the negative effects of alcohol due to the ability to break down alcohol oxidation products.
- Diospyros has a positive effect on potency and is a preventative against male ailments.
Dried persimmon, the benefits and harms of the product, which will be discussed below, have long been known to man. Due to its low calorie content, the product is used by those who struggle with excess weight: they replace sweets, flour products, and high-calorie desserts with dried persimmon fruits. A large amount of healthy carbohydrates - more than 15 grams per 100 grams of berries - provide energy.
Beneficial features
Like all orange fruits, sharon has a number of benefits: it is good for the nervous system and can improve mood. The substances contained in it activate mental activity and increase the overall performance of a person. Thanks to vitamins PP and C, persimmon is indicated for people suffering from varicose veins and hypertension. Regular consumption of this fruit has a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Beta-carotene, which is part of it, strengthens the nail plate and hair structure, and refreshes the skin. Therefore, it is deservedly considered the fruit of beauty and youth.
Advice
If you have weak hair, thin nails or dry skin, eat more persimmons.
The calorie content of dried fruit always increases. In addition to vitamins and minerals, persimmons are rich in sugar. It contains 275 kcal per 100 g, so this delicacy is contraindicated on a diet. Diabetic or obese patients should not get carried away with eating dried fruits. There are also age restrictions: children under 10 are not recommended to consume the treat. This can negatively affect bowel function.
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If you lead an active lifestyle and are not afraid of gaining extra pounds, then you can eat dried persimmons at least every day. Dark chocolate has twice as many calories, but this delicacy cannot boast of a huge amount of vitamins. Dried sharon is useful for hypertension due to its high potassium content. Blood pressure decreases and blood thins. The treat has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract and helps cure hemorrhoids.
How to dry persimmons at home (several methods)
You can prepare this oriental delicacy yourself. To do this, you need to know how to dry persimmons at home.
There are several drying methods. But first you need to choose fruits suitable for drying. They should be dense, hard, without stains or lesions. Then, using any drying method, the berries are washed and dried.
- First way. Diospyros fruits are cut into rings or slices 2-2.5 cm thick. They are laid out on the trays of a home electric dryer. Dry for 8-10 hours at a temperature of 65-70 degrees. A crispy crust will indicate the readiness of the product.
- Second way. The fruits for drying are cut 3.5-4 cm thick. Placed on a parchment sheet covering a baking sheet. The baking sheet is placed in an oven preheated to 90 degrees for 2.5-3 hours. Before drying, it is recommended to sprinkle the sunny slices with lemon juice so that they do not lose their bright color. The browned, pleasantly crispy product is ready to eat or store.
- Third way. Fruits can be air dried. The thinner the plates, the faster the product will dry. For air drying, pieces of diospyros spread out in a thin layer are placed under a canopy to protect from the sun and rain. The drying process lasts from one to two weeks.
Korolek is considered one of the most common varieties. It has little astringency and viscosity. Dried kinglet has become a favorite delicacy for many connoisseurs of dried fruits.
How to choose fruits for drying
When choosing diospyros fruits, you need to pay attention to the color: it should be bright and rich. The top layer should shine and be smooth. Damaged or stained fruits are not suitable for drying. Also, do not dry overripe, soft berries. But slightly unripe ones can be used.
Any variety can be chosen, tart or non-tart. The dehydration process will remove excess astringency and viscosity.
Best variety for drying
Good dried date plum products can be obtained at home only if you follow the technology and choose the right variety. Only dense fruits that are free from damage and rot are suitable for this. The stalks should be well dried and fit snugly to the base of the fruit. And the color of persimmon should not be dull. Fruits that are overripe and their skin is separated from the pulp are not suitable for drying. The prepared room in which the drying process will take place must be disinfected from parasitic insects that lay larvae in the dried fruit.
The best varieties for obtaining quality dried fruits are:
- Ukrainian.
- Kinglet.
- Mid.
- Zenji Maru.
- Satellite.
- Sharon.
- Chocolate-326.
- Costata.
- Bull's heart.
How to dry persimmons at home
Cooking dried diospyros fruits will take longer than drying.
- Ripe berries are selected.
- The fruits are carefully removed from the skin. In this case, the stalk is left.
- Persimmons are dried on threads passed through the tails, suspended in a dry, shaded, ventilated room.
- After seven to ten days, the fruits of Diospyros are covered with a whitish sugar coating.
- The berries become dried after 4-6 weeks: it all depends on the temperature and humidity in the room.
- Every week, the fruits must be gently kneaded to ensure even distribution of sugar and moisture inside them.
If the rules of drying and drying are violated, the product will become moldy.
This can happen in a room with high humidity. You need to carefully ensure that there are no insects near the preparing fruits that will lay eggs inside the berries. The smell of rot and a greenish tint will indicate that the product is spoiled.
Product drying in different countries
The classic way to not lose its usefulness is to dry it. By the way, in Japan, Thailand and some other countries they eat dried fruits instead of sweets and dry persimmon berries in the sun:
- In Abkhazia, where Caucasian persimmons, which ripen by October, are grown, they are dried or dried. To do this, peel off the skin and tie each berry by the tail of the stalk. The bundles are hung in the sun so that there is good air circulation and the process of rotting does not occur.
- The persimmon of Armenia is called kinglet, which is how the name is translated in Armenian. There it is dried for two weeks, also in the sun, hanging or cut into rings. At the same time, the peel, divided into strips, is not thrown away. When dried, it is a special delicacy.
How to choose dried persimmons when purchasing
Dried, dried persimmon retains all the qualities of fresh fruits. But it surpasses them in taste due to the lack of viscosity and astringency. And it can be stored for a long time.
When purchasing dried, dried diospyros fruits, you need to pay attention to the color of the product. It was already mentioned above why dried and dried berries are covered with a white coating. It is important that the layer of glucose is uniform, thin, and not rubbed off with your finger. The erasing coating indicates that it is starch or flour, and not natural sugar, which came out of the fruit during dehydration. This is how unscrupulous manufacturers try to deceive the buyer.
Diospyros berries are soft, rubber-like, and covered with a persistent white coating.
Varieties
For its honey-like sweetness and delicate soft texture, persimmons have received many common names: food of the gods, gourmets' choice. There are three varieties of the fruit, all of which have characteristics in appearance and taste.
- Regular persimmon . The fruit has a rich orange color. After ripening, the consistency of the pulp becomes jelly. Unripe fruit is tart due to its high tannin content.
- Sharon. The taste is reminiscent of apple, quince and apricot. Ripe fruit is very soft and does not have a tart taste. The skin is thin, it is not necessary to peel it off.
- Kinglet. The skin is orange and the flesh underneath is brown. The second name is chocolate persimmon. It tastes sweet and not at all cloying.
How to properly eat dried persimmons
When purchasing a finished product, the question arises whether it is necessary to wash dried persimmons before use. You don't have to do this. If in doubt, you can scald the fruits with boiling water. Dried, dried fruits of diospyros can be consumed in different ways:
- eat like candied fruits;
- make tea; to do this, just pour boiling water over a few slices of the product and let it brew for ten minutes;
- cook the compote by boiling the pieces of fruit in water for about 30 minutes with the addition of a pinch of citric acid and sugar to taste;
- Use as a filling for pies, but first the pieces must be kept in hot water to soften.
Dried and dried doyspiros fruits are stored for up to a year in a closed glass or wooden container. The stem of a dried product must be cut off so that it does not spoil. You can extend the shelf life of a healthy treat by placing it in bags in the freezer.
How can persimmons harm you?
Any product, even the most useful one, has disadvantages in addition to its advantages. They must be remembered so as not to cause harm to health.
- The first contraindication for consuming dried, dried diospyros fruits is individual intolerance to the product, the possibility of allergies.
- Diabetes mellitus requires limiting the consumption of dried winter fruits. One small dried persimmon per day is enough.
- For people suffering from anemia and hypotension, the use of dried fruits will have to be limited to a minimum.
- The product does not combine well with dairy products, so they should not be consumed together. Otherwise, you may get an upset stomach and vomiting.
- Eating dried fruits on an empty stomach can cause irritation to the mucous membranes.
- People suffering from diseases of the pancreas or those who have undergone surgery on the digestive organs should not eat dried fruit.
Still, the benefits of the “fruits of the gods” are much greater than the limitations. It is believed that eating an apple daily helps maintain health for many years. In relation to persimmon, this conclusion is doubly true.