Produce recently spotted at The Market
Produce Briefs...
Roselle Flowers
Roselle may be used raw, dried or juiced. The fruit's tart flavor requires a sweetener of some kind, and it is successfully used like a cranberry in recipes for jam, jelly, chutney and even wine.
Barrel Cactus Fruit
The fruit of the Barrel cactus is best prepared in sweet applications, since its natural tartness lends itself well to a hint of sugar. Cook the fruit down with agave syrup to make a jam, jelly or a sweet and sour chutney.
Grower
Lilac persimmons grow in small clusters on deciduous trees that reach approximately 9 meters in height. The fruits are small and round, averaging 1-2 centimeters in diameter. The yellow-orange flesh is juicy and may contain one or two seeds. They may be eaten fresh, but are best when dried so as to bring out their date-like qualities. Lilac persimmons are rich and sugary but still maintain bright fruity notes of plum and orange.
Lilac persimmons are available in the fall.
Lilac persimmons are botanically known as Diospyros lotus, and also commonly referred to as Caucasian persimmon or Date Plum. Their interesting flavor combines that of a rich sugary date with the brightness of a plum, hence the alias Date Plum. They are a variety of astringent persimmon and should be eaten fully ripe to almost rotten, so as to completely develop their natural sugar content. They are preferably harvested after a frost, which intensifies their flavor and reduces their astringency. Depending upon the variety, some Lilac persimmons actually turn a brownish-purple when ripe and others an orange-yellow.
Lilac persimmons are a good source of fiber and vitamins A, C and E.
Fresh Lilac persimmons should be eaten when mushy to the touch and may be ripened on or off the tree. Dried Lilac persimmons are the consistency of a date and usually dark in color. Either version of the fruit makes a natural companion to fall dishes that include flavors of: plum, peach, apricot, grape, date, fig, pomegranate, pear, cherry, orange, pumpkin, butternut squash, yam, almond, walnut, hazelnut, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, anise, vanilla, bourbon, brandy, port, rum, raisin, brown sugar, honey and chocolate.
The Lilac persimmon is believed to be the fruit mentioned in Homer’s “The Odyssey”: “For there grew the honey-sweet fruit of the lotus that makes all men forgetful of their past and neglectful of their future.” Their botanical name literally translates to “divine fruit” or “wheat of Zeus.”
The Lilac persimmon is native to China’s Himalayan region as well as Iran, Turkey, and parts of southeast Europe. Today it is prevalent in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean where it is especially beloved in the Black Sea region.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Lilac Persimmons. One
is easiest, three is harder.
Recently Spotted
People have spotted Lilac Persimmons using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
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Description/Taste
Lilac persimmons grow in small clusters on deciduous trees that reach approximately 9 meters in height. The fruits are small and round, averaging 1-2 centimeters in diameter. The yellow-orange flesh is juicy and may contain one or two seeds. They may be eaten fresh, but are best when dried so as to bring out their date-like qualities. Lilac persimmons are rich and sugary but still maintain bright fruity notes of plum and orange.
Seasons/Availability
Lilac persimmons are available in the fall.
Current Facts
Lilac persimmons are botanically known as Diospyros lotus, and also commonly referred to as Caucasian persimmon or Date Plum. Their interesting flavor combines that of a rich sugary date with the brightness of a plum, hence the alias Date Plum. They are a variety of astringent persimmon and should be eaten fully ripe to almost rotten, so as to completely develop their natural sugar content. They are preferably harvested after a frost, which intensifies their flavor and reduces their astringency. Depending upon the variety, some Lilac persimmons actually turn a brownish-purple when ripe and others an orange-yellow.
Nutritional Value
Lilac persimmons are a good source of fiber and vitamins A, C and E.
Applications
Fresh Lilac persimmons should be eaten when mushy to the touch and may be ripened on or off the tree. Dried Lilac persimmons are the consistency of a date and usually dark in color. Either version of the fruit makes a natural companion to fall dishes that include flavors of: plum, peach, apricot, grape, date, fig, pomegranate, pear, cherry, orange, pumpkin, butternut squash, yam, almond, walnut, hazelnut, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, anise, vanilla, bourbon, brandy, port, rum, raisin, brown sugar, honey and chocolate.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The Lilac persimmon is believed to be the fruit mentioned in Homer’s “The Odyssey”: “For there grew the honey-sweet fruit of the lotus that makes all men forgetful of their past and neglectful of their future.” Their botanical name literally translates to “divine fruit” or “wheat of Zeus.”
Geography/History
The Lilac persimmon is native to China’s Himalayan region as well as Iran, Turkey, and parts of southeast Europe. Today it is prevalent in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean where it is especially beloved in the Black Sea region.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Lilac Persimmons. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Spotted
People have spotted Lilac Persimmons using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Steve Murray
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesBakersfield , 93307 661-330-0100 About 329 days ago, 10/26/16 Spotter's comments : Lilac Persimmon spotted at Santa Monica Farmers Market. Santa Monica Farmers Market Near Santa Monica, California, United States About 665 days ago, 11/25/15 Spotter's comments : Lilac Persimmon spotted at Santa Monica Farmers Market. At the Murray Family Farms booth, 661-330-3396 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 672 days ago, 11/18/15 Spotter's comments : Lilac Persimmon spotted at Santa Monica Farmers Market. 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 679 days ago, 11/11/15 Spotter's comments : Lilac Persimmon spotted at Santa Monica Farmers Market. Santa Monica Farmers Market Near Santa Monica, California, United States About 679 days ago, 11/11/15 Spotter's comments : Lilac Persimmon spotted at Santa Monica Farmers Market. Lots in stock at todays market. |
