Persimmons are back in season!

It’s persimmon season!! I love persimmons, not only for their flavour, but because they are also a very healthy fruit! Loaded with fibre, persimmons are also a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, manganese, iron and the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin (which are excellent for eye health). From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective they are very balancing for the heart meridian (the heart is said to ‘house the mind’) and can therefor help with mental restlessness, anxiety, insomnia and palpitations.

I’m holding a Fuyu persimmon. There are many types but common varieties include Fuyu, Vanilla and Sharonfruit persimmons, which can all be eaten while still firm to the touch. If you try a larger variety called a Hachiya persimmon, you’ll need to let it ripen until it is quite soft to be pleasant to the palate. If you don’t let this one ripen you’ll think you were putting bitter cotton into your mouth…it is very astringent (the flesh being very rich in tannins which break down as the fruit ripens). When it’s ripe and soft it’s delicious!

Give them a try if you’ve never had them before. They’ll be gone in the early part of the New Year!

Dr. Jeff Appelmann, BSc, ND

Naturopathic Doctor

Oakville, Ontario