Dried persimmon is a type of traditional dried fruit snack in East Asia with origins in China. They dried them to use them in other seasons.
In the Han dynasty, Yangshao dried persimmon was used as a tribute to the imperial court.
Production
Dried persimmon are made from various varieties of
Diospyros kaki. Persimmons, when fully ripe, are thin-skinned, soft and sweet. Persimmons used to create dried persimmons are harvested when they are under-ripe, firm,
astringent, and bitter.
China
In China, there are many different varieties of dried persimmon. The traditional way of drying persimmon is to choose fruits which are fully mature. After the persimmons are peeled and blemishes have been removed, a drying rack 0.8-1m high and covered with foil is placed in an area with sufficient light, air circulation, and sanitation. The persimmons are then placed stem-side up onto the rack and covered to prevent contact from rain or other environmental debris. The drying process causes the flesh to shrivel and a frosty layer to form on the surface. In addition, there are artificial drying methods, this method producing brighter-coloured persimmons. Each region in China has different production methods and dried fruit characteristics, of which Xi'an dried persimmon is more famous.
Japan
In Japan, the fruit are peeled and then suspended by strings from their stems.
They are massaged daily after they have started to dry.
This gives the dried persimmon from Japan a distinctive shape and texture that is different from those from China and Korea.
is a variation of Japanese dried persimmon in which the persimmon is dried by fumigating with sulphur, resulting in a soft, juicy texture.
Korea
In Korea, the persimmons are peeled and dried, tied with
saekki (rice straw ropes) and hung in sunny, well-ventilated place, for example to the
of the house.
When the color turns brown and the outer part hardens, the seeds are removed and the persimmons are sealed again and flattened.
After around three weeks, when the fruits reach 75% of their original weight, they are covered in dried rice straw and stored in a box in a cool place until the drying process is completed, and a white powdery crust of persimmon sugar forms on the outside.
in North Gyeongsang Province is famous for its dried persimmons.
Pakistan
In Swat Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Swat dried persimmons
locally known as "khushk amlook" are a seasonal delicacy. Fully ripe persimmons are peeled and either laid on bamboo racks or hung on strings to dry naturally in the region’s cool, dry climate. Over weeks, the fruit shrivels and develops a natural white sugar coating, prized for its sweetness and quality. Swat’s drying method is chemical-free and traditional, making its dried persimmons popular both locally and for export.
Nutrition
Korean
gotgam usually consists of 32% moisture, 6.3% protein, 0.44% fat, 44.8% carbohydrate, 15% fiber, and 1.99% ash.
calories (32g/ea) : 75.8kcal
Culinary use
In
Chinese cuisine, dried persimmons can be consumed themselves, or used as an ingredient in other foods. For example, dried persimmon wrap is made by wrapping a
walnut with dried persimmon. Dried persimmon is also served with
or fresh fruits.
In Japan, Hoshigaki are eaten by themselves as a quick snack or eaten with walnuts and/or with Traditional Desserts like Dango, Mochi, or Raindrop Cake.
In popular culture
According to Chinese legend,
Hongwu Emperor was forced to live in exile at the foot of Jinweng mountain in the north of Fuping. He was able to live because he ate local dried persimmons.
The Korean folktale "The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon" features a tiger scared of dried persimmon.[
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Gallery
File:Dried Kaki Fruit.jpg| Hoshigaki served as a snack in Japan
File:Gotgam.jpg|Sliced gotgam served as a snack in Korea
File:Gotgam-ssam 2.gif| Gotgam-ssam (dried persimmon rolls) made with walnuts
File:鏡餅 (4296045959).jpg|Japanese kagami mochi served with dried persimmon-skewers
File:Dried Persimmons - Wuzhou - 20181102.jpg|Shibing of roadside sales in China.
File:Orderly dried fruit.jpg|Different varieties of dried persimmon in China
See also
