Description/Taste
Sharon
fruit is the trade name for a persimmon
variety, the astringency of which has been artificially removed so that it can
be eaten at all stages of ripening. They are similar in shape to tomatoes, on
average 5-8 centimeters in diameter, at the top of a green or brown calyx.
Their thin, waxy edible skin is pale to reddish-orange when ripe, and the
orange flesh is almost always pitted, pathless, and without any bitterness.
It
offers a sweet taste even if it is still immature and firm, with a crunchy and
juicy texture. As it ripens, the fruit softens to a custard consistency, taking
on a more complex sweet taste with hints of brown sugar.
Seasons/Availability
Sharon
fruits are available during the fall and winter months.
Current
Facts
Sharon
fruits are botanically classified as Diospyros kaki, Japanese persimmon, and
belong to the ebony family. It can be referred to by several other names,
including Korean Mango and Triumph, an astringent persimmon that is sold as a
Sharon fruit after chemically removing the astringency. Sharon fruits are
harvested and processed using modified atmosphere packaging, or MAP for
short.
The
fruits are stored in low oxygen, high carbon dioxide environment for 24 hours
to facilitate natural ripening and remove astringency. However, this controlled
atmospheric storage is not a new method; the evidence suggests that the
harvested crops have been stored under controlled conditions since the Egyptian
period.
Nutritional
Value
Sharon
fruits are high in fiber, about twice as fiber as an apple, and are rich in
minerals such as sodium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. They are widely known
for their high levels of beta-carotene, which is found in both skin and meat,
making them an excellent source of vitamins A and C. They are also rich in
glucose and protein.
Prickly
Pear Cactus Description
Prickly
Pear also called nopal is any of several types of flat-stemmed prickly
pear cactus from the genus Opuntia
(Cactaceae family) and their edible fruit. Prickly pear cactus is implanted in
the Western Hemisphere. Some of them are grown in culture, which is an
important food for many peoples in tropical and subtropical countries.
It has
large yellow flowers, 7.5 to 10 cm in diameter, followed by white, yellow, or
reddish-purple fruits. It is widely grown in warmer regions for the cultivation
of fruits and edible shoulder blades and as a forage crop. Hard seeds are used
to make oil. Due to the high water content, the stems, especially of the
spineless varieties, are used as emergency feed for the herd during drought.
Some types of prickly pear are cultivated as ornamental plants and are prized for their large flowers. They multiply easily by stem segments. The two most famous species, the Engelmann prickly pear (O. engelmannii) and the beaver-tailed cactus (O. basilaris) are commonly found in the southwestern United States.
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