Easy Persimmon Jam Recipe [Video] (2024)

FAQs

Why is my persimmon jam gritty? ›

Water is no friend of the persimmon. The two come together like vinegar and milk, seriously. Water causes the persimmon puree to curdle, then become gritty and astringent.

The seeds and stem can be removed and the pulp strained through a strainer, pushing the pulp through with a rubber spatula. A food mill will make faster work of this if you have a large persimmon harvest. Or you can put the fruit with the peel in a blender or food processor and process until smooth.

The persimmons contain pectin, which aids in the jam setting. If your fruit is older, it will contain less pectin. Sugar: do not reduce the amount of sugar. Whilst the sugar sweetens the fruit, it also acts as a preservative and helps the jam to set.

This can be done in a variety of ways, but the easiest way is to freeze them. Persimmons freeze very well, so I tend to pick as much fruit as possible to store away for the year. To prepare your fruit for the freezer, rinse off the skin of the fruit and lightly pat dry.

Why do persimmons make my mouth feel weird? Persimmons contain tannins, a type of plant compound that can make your mouth feel dry, chalky, or puckered. Unripe persimmons have a high tannin content, leading to this sensation.

When persimmons are beaten to a pulp, tannins form complexes with carbohydrates, causing the pulp to stiffen to a gel-like consistency. When baking soda is added, a reaction with the moist and slightly acidic persimmon creates carbon dioxide (CO2), which also plays a role in encouraging the pulp to thicken.

You can also freeze persimmons to use later in baked items. To freeze persimmons, puree the pulp. It is recommended to add 1/8 teaspoon of ascorbic acid to each quart of persimmon puree. Place the pulp in a canning jar or freezer container being sure to leave sufficient head space.

It is best to store them at room temperature. Ripe persimmons are best eaten immediately, but you can refrigerate them for 1 or 2 days. Unripe persimmons will keep in the refrigerator for up to one month. Keep refrigerated persimmons unwashed in a plastic bag.

Most often, the tartness is due to not being picked late enough. The unripened fruit is notoriously pucker worthy. I've read a few suggestions on how to cut down the bitterness, including freezing beforehand.

Persimmon fruits have anti-inflammatory characteristics. A study in rats found that the antioxidant properties of persimmon probably reduce inflammation as well as tissue damage. The vitamin C content of the persimmon helps enable the anti-inflammatory effect.

Is persimmon a laxative? ›

The fruit is easily chewable and has a delicious flavour, but it is not recommended for diabetics, obese and sufferers of gastroduodenal ulcer. Persimmons have a creamy and sweet pulp and have laxative, diuretic and hepatoprotective.

Persimmons are a good source of vitamins A and C as well as manganese, which helps the blood to clot. They also have other antioxidants, which help reduce the risk of many serious health conditions including cancer and stroke.

A ripe persimmon will have a deep orange or reddish color, depending on the variety. It should also feel soft, but not mushy when gently pressed. The texture should be akin to a ripe tomato. The ultimate test, however, is its taste: a ripe persimmon will be sweet and free from any astringency.

The fix is to add enough more mashed fruit or unsweetened juice to bring the sugar or honey level down to within the original recipe's sweetener range. This allows the grainy pectin to dissolve and do its job of jelling the original amount of mashed fruit or juice.

It can be saved with a gentle rewarming to melt all the crystals. Either heat over the stove or even just in the microwave, depending on the quality of the jam. Also, using a fresh jar that has no buildup of crystals on the walls will further prevent the recrystallization of the jam.

Before they've reached peak ripeness, Hachiyas will have a virtually inedible, chalky taste. To avoid this unpleasant surprise, make sure you allow Hachiyas to ripen until they're soft and about to burst. This ensures the tannins will have dissipated, and you'll have a sweet, smooth persimmon on your hands.

Persimmons have a delicate honey-like flavor and silky texture. They can be eaten fresh, dried, or cooked, and are very versatile in recipes. Persimmon peels are completely edible. Whether or not to peel the fruit is a matter of personal preference and the recipe that you're using.