Khaki, or fruit of the persimmon

Khaki, or fruit of the persimmon is a large fruit up to 10cm in diameter, orange to red depending on variety. Most persimmons contain tannins, which makes them astringent. In this case, should be consumed when they are almost over-ripe and the flesh becomes creamy. The pulp is then juicy and sweet. There are also non-astringent varieties of persimmon as 'Fuyu', which can be eaten when the flesh is still firm. The persimmon is a fruit rich in particular sugars, vitamin C and pectin. Diospyros kaki, persimmon, is an evergreen tree native to Central Asia and Japan. It is a relatively slow-growing tree, up to 15m, but more generally peak between 6 and 10m. After flowering yellow-cream a little insignificant, appear very ornamental fruit maturity, when they make an orange color to red and the leaves have fallen. Persimmons produced in Europe, marketed from October to January, is round, smooth and orange. Its flesh is astringent when immature. It is only when overripe that you can appreciate its tender flesh and fragrant. Then it is also very fragile and difficult to transport. Non-astringent varieties are the most common is "Sharon", imported from Israel, from September to May Under a thin orange skin, its flesh may be firm (it then crunches) or flexible (and enjoyed, for example, a spoon) but still sweet, very sweet with a flavor reminiscent of fresh apricots and dates .