Persimmon is one of the most consumed fruits in the fall and winter season. However, the way you eat it may be different depending on our culture. Some eat it with a spoon, while others bite into it. But should persimmon skin be removed before eating?
To avoid any misunderstanding, the fruit of the persimmon is fully edible, except for the seeds and the calyx, the green leaves at the top of the persimmon where the stem is located. The way to prepare and eat this fruit will depend on the variety of persimmon and the recipe (like this delicious persimmon cake). Although the really important thing is to know if the skin needs to be removed to eat it fresh or cooked.
It can be eaten
Despite all prognoses, the skin contains antioxidants that the body needs to prevent the risk of disease. It is also high in fiber, which is essential for digestion and helps with weight management. Experts advise not to peel the skin, as it is also good for the heart.
In principle, this fruit does not cause allergies, which makes it an ideal option to add to all types of diet. There is nothing poisonous about a persimmon, a fruit that originated in China. About 500 varieties are grown in different parts of the world, but the plump, dark orange, acorn-shaped Hachiya is grown more abundantly.
As long as the piece we are eating is ripe, it should be suitable to be eaten without regard. However, the skin can be more bitter and astringent than the rest of the fruit, so it is possible that not everyone likes it as much. So, although it is not necessary to peel the skin, it will all depend on personal taste.
Beware of constipation
Persimmon is one of the fruits with the highest contribution of dietary fiber. If we are in a phase of constipation due to food or habit changes due to going on a trip, consuming this fruit may not be an advantage. Astringent diets are used to prevent diarrhea from escalating. They are foods that add volume to the stool and slow down the evacuation.
Consuming this fruit in excess, while presenting a picture of constipation, could be harmful. Also, keep in mind that the skin is one of the most astringent parts of persimmon. This does not mean that it should be eliminated from the diet, but it is necessary to value the food we consume in these difficult intestinal situations. Will removing the skin help make it less astringent? The amount of fiber will be reduced, although not very significantly.
The only thing we have to do without regard is to wash the skin very well before biting it. The chemicals farmers use to keep pests away can affect our health. And, if we prefer to eliminate it, it will not mean too many changes in nutritional values. It will be similar to when we peel an apple.