Diovo ovoce - kaki

In short: Kaki (persimmon, Diospyros kaki) is an orange fruit 5–8 cm in size that tastes of melon, peach and vanilla. Eat it only when fully ripe, as unripe fruit is astringent from tannins. You can grow it from seed, which germinates in 1–2 months, or buy a grafted plant and overwinter it indoors at around 1 °C.

Diovo Fruit - Kaki

Kaki is the fruit of the Japanese persimmon tree (Latin: Diospyros kaki). This tree belongs to the ebony family. Kaki has been cultivated in China for over 2000 years. It has been imported to our region since 2008. You may encounter kaki under various names such as kakichurma, churma, tomel, diovo fruit, Asian mango, Sharon fruit, Chinese plum, honey apple, and others. In supermarkets, it is often labeled as Sharon Fruit - this name indicates that the fruit has been artificially ripened using chemical substances. It is a commercial name.

Kaki has a bright orange color. It looks like an orange, apple, or tomato, depending on the variety. It has a soft, thin skin. This fruit grows to a size of 5-8cm. It is consumed when ripe. It has a specific sweet taste that you will love. It tastes somewhat like melon, peach, and vanilla combined. Unripe fruits are astringent, hard, and have a lighter skin. They contain higher amounts of tannin.

Recommendation: Choose ripe and juicy fruits. You will enjoy them most.

Kaki began to be imported to the Czech Republic in 2008. It was not kaki from Asia, but from Valencia, Spain. Kaki therefore does not only grow in China, Korea, and Japan, but also in places like Ukraine.

Kaki fruits grow on shrubs and low-growing trees. Mainly in tropical and subtropical regions.

The vitamins and minerals contained in kaki support metabolic processes and overall regenerate the organism. The pulp contains large amounts of provitamin A and vitamin C. It is suitable for children's diets and for pregnant women. Consumption of kaki promotes healthy fetal development.

Growing Kaki

Growing kaki from seed is not simple. Imported fruits usually do not contain seeds. Seeds in the fruit are typically hard to miss. There may be one or none. It looks like a tiny chestnut. However, if you find a seed in kaki, it will germinate. Germination takes about one or two months. So be patient. Kaki can also be purchased as a grafted plant.

Kaki is a hardy plant. It thrives in southern Moravia. However, it will grow throughout the entire country. Kaki can be outdoors during summer. Choose a well-lit location for it. In summer, don't forget about regular watering. Fertilize the plant so it has sufficient nutrients.

Kaki requires regular pruning and crown shaping. In subtropical regions, it grows up to 15 meters in height. The crown is spreading. Kaki leaves are oval and short-stalked.

For winter, move it indoors and maintain a temperature around 1°C. The tree sheds its leaves in autumn. However, the fruits remain on the tree. If kaki is grafted onto rootstock, it can withstand frosts. We recommend covering the more resistant and hardened plant for winter.

Persimmon can also be grown as a houseplant and bonsai.

Persimmon is consumed fresh. Choose juicy and ripe fruits with orange to reddish skin. This way you'll best enjoy the sweet flesh tasting like melon and peach and smelling like vanilla.

How to recognize ripe persimmon

Ripe persimmon has juicy flesh and a persistent calyx. When cut open, it's slightly sticky, fragrant and tasty. It contains vitamin C and about 20% sugars. Children will love it. It also contains phosphorus, magnesium and fiber. The skin of persimmon is not consumed. Remove it or you can cut the persimmon in half and eat the sweet flesh with a spoon. Peeled persimmon can be cut into quarters. Add it to fruit salads and dessert cups.

If you crave exotic taste and like trying new recipes - process persimmon into marmalade. You won't get 30 jars for the whole family, but as a delicacy in small jars it will please. Or use it instead of plums for rice pudding. Persimmon is also delicious dried.

Consumption of persimmon is recommended for people being treated for liver and kidney diseases. Thanks to its content of vitamins and minerals, it regenerates muscles. It's suitable for athletes and those doing physical work. It relieves muscle tension. It reduces nervousness, stress, fatigue. Its consumption can also be a prevention against sclerosis.

Fit recipe after workout: Try having wholegrain bread with cottage cheese or cream cheese after workout, and slice some persimmon into crescents. You'll do something for your health, muscle relaxation and good mood.

Always choose ripe persimmon. If you buy unripe persimmon, feel free to let it ripen after cutting. Unripe persimmon contains higher amounts of tannin. This can cause stomach pain. It binds undigested food remains.

Persimmon is a sweet divine fruit. Enjoy it during this time and create a relaxing atmosphere away from everyday stress.

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Author: Hana Michalíková