Persimmons from She County

Persimmons from She County

　　Origin: She County, Hebei Province, China. Features: Besides being eaten fresh or dried, the wine and vinegar made from them are also of exceptional taste, surpassing those made from grain. They can also be used medicinally, showing certain therapeutic effects on dysentery, dry coughs, gum bleeding, anemia, and more. The persimmons are large, bright red, plump and juicy, with a sweet, honey-like flavor. (Handan)

　　The large persimmons of She County, produced in China, have a cultivation history of over 2,000 years. In Hebei Province, persimmon trees are mostly found in the Taihang Mountain area, including more than ten varieties such as Lotus Persimmon and Soft-Fleshed Persimmon. Among them, the Dahongpao Persimmon is the highest quality and renowned both domestically and internationally.

　　The Dahongpao Persimmon from She County, also known as Mandihong or Mian Persimmon, is a premium variety among Hebei's persimmon trees. It features a thin skin, fine flesh, large and plump size, bright red color, rich sweetness and juice, seedlessness, soft texture, and easy deastringency. Persimmons are highly nutritious, with sugar content exceeding 15%, as well as various vitamins and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, and zinc, along with protein and carbohydrates. Dried persimmons mixed with coarse grains and ground into flour yield a sweet and tasty product that can serve as a staple food.

　　In addition to being eaten fresh, persimmons can also be processed into dried persimmons, persimmon vinegar, persimmon strips, persimmon honey, persimmon sugar, persimmon preserves, and persimmon juice. Using persimmons as raw materials, one can also produce persimmon wine, persimmon vinegar, persimmon beverages, and persimmon leaf tea, all with unique flavors. Moreover, persimmons or foods processed from them have functions such as strengthening the spleen and stomach, moistening the lungs and relieving coughs, treating gum bleeding, anemia, goiter, and lowering blood pressure.

　　Fresh persimmons and processed persimmon products are exported in large quantities every year to Japan, Southeast Asian countries, and the regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Additionally, persimmon trees are long-lived, have few pests and diseases, boast beautiful canopies with ample shade, and produce fruit with a distinctive flavor, making them one of the ideal economic tree species for afforestation and environmental greening.

　　Persimmons are a major type of woody grain tree. They are easy to manage, adaptable, and offer high economic returns. The fruit is attractive, brightly colored, juicy, and sweet. It can be processed into dried persimmons, persimmon chips, persimmon honey, and persimmon sugar. Every 100 grams of ripe persimmon contains 19.7 grams of carbohydrates, 0.7 grams of protein, 0.4 grams of fat, 2710 micrograms of vitamin A, 11 milligrams of vitamin C, and more. Additionally, persimmons can treat gastrointestinal disorders, stop bleeding and moisten the stool, counteract alcohol toxicity, refresh the mind, and help lower blood pressure. Persimmon frost can treat sore throats, dryness in the throat, and mouth ulcers. Persimmon leaves can be processed into persimmon tea, which, when consumed regularly, aids digestion and helps prevent cancer.

　　She County is a concentrated production area for persimmons, with a long cultivation history and abundant resources. There are currently 500,000 bearing trees, mainly planted on hillside terraces and field ridges. The annual yield is 20–30 million jin, with main varieties including Fushan Soft Persimmon, Small Soft Persimmon, Large and Small Square Persimmons, Mantianhong, and Black Persimmon. The Fushan Soft Persimmon from She County has large fruits, a high yield rate for dried persimmons, and the dried fruit has a sugar content of 25.2%, large size, white frost, and a sweet and pleasant taste. It was once praised as “Fushan Persimmons outshine sugar,” enjoying a high reputation in both domestic and international markets.