Sunday Poetry with seasonal fruits: Persimmon, the sacred fruit of autumn.

Happy thought

“The world is so full of a number of things

I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.”

Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson dedicated these wonderful verses to his nurse, Alison, who lovingly took care of him when he was very ill. He was fond of so many things, especially of the autumn season, to which he also dedicated the poem "Autumn Fires". We have a strong feeling that he must have also been very fond of persimmons, the symbolic fruit of autumn.

In fact, persimmons represent best the magic of autumn flavors and colors; so inviting, aromatic, the sensation of all tastes; sweet, sour, pungent, bitter.

To the ancient Greeks, persimmon was considered the "fruit of the gods." As for the Chinese, they were "Eastern Apple" for its longevity, the protective shadow it emits for the erection of bird nests between its branches, its frost resistance, as well as the perfection of wood to light a great fire.

To the Sicilians it is the representation of the Holy Virgin herself, known as the "manuzza di Maria".

TPersimmon, a fruit originating from East Asia, one of the most ancient crops in the world, are known for their healing properties. It contains water (about 80%), fiber, vitamins (A, C) and mineral salts, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium and sodium. So, it strengthens the immune system and helps protect the body.

Hmmm ... yam yam