Persimmon Spotlight

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Persimmons are rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and are even said to help relieve hangovers. This autumn fruit is in season nowadays. Here's more on how to enjoy persimmons.

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This persimmon orchard in Incheon is busy harvesting. The whole family plucks ripe persimmons. The tree branches are full of orange fruits.But these are not just ordinary persimmons.

[Soundbite] Cho Kyung-soo(Persimmon Orchard Owner) : "These are "jangjun" persimmons. It's a native Korean variety that dates back more than 500 years. It was served to kings because of its good taste."

This variety known as "Jangjun" has no seeds and tastes even better after being dried in a shady area for about a week. These persimmons are also very nutritious.Rich in vitamin C, perssimons help relieve fatigue, prevent colds and improve the complexion.Persimmon peel contains even more vitamin C than the pulp. So make sure to eat it as well. But there are a few things to keep in mind when eating persimmons.

[Soundbite] Lee Won-seon(Korean Medicine Doctor) : "Tannin, which gives persimmons their astringent flavor, can cause constipation. People who have diabetes should refrain from eating too many dried persimmons, as they contain much sugar and can quickly raise blood sugar levels."

It's lunch time on the busy farm.

[Soundbite] "Let's have a lunch!"

Today's lunch is dough flakes made with ripe persimmons. This dish is made by straining ripe, mellow persimmons to extract their juices and mixing the extract with wheat flour to make a dough. Then, the dough flakes are cooked in boiling water. After adding some vegetables and boiling everything together, the persimmon dough flakes are ready to eat. Persimmons can be also used as an ingredient in snacks. First, we're going to make chewy dried persimmon strips. Wash the persimmons and slice them. Then spread them on a tray and put them in a microwave oven for five minutes. Then leave them to cool down. Repeat the entire process three times. Then turn the persimmon strips over and do it again three more times. This way, the persimmon strips will taste sweeter.To make a sweet persimmon shake, grind ripe, mellow persimmons with some milk in a blender. To make persimmon tea, wash the persimmon stems and dry them in a shady area. Once they become completely dry, boil them in water for five minutes. Persimmon tea helps with coughs and alleviates asthma symptoms. With the help of this nutritious and delicious fruit, you can keep colds at bay this autumn.