This is one of Italy's favourites and possibly amongst the rarest items in London. Persimmons (or "cachi" as we call them, read: kaki) are a Mediterranean flavour, typical of Italy and of some of the hottest Middle Eastern countries. Original from Japan, they were imported into Europe. We source them from where in season: most typically from the hotter climates of the south (Campania, Sicily etc).

FLAVOUR

Easy: sweetness all over you. A plump and grainy, almost solid consistency that reveals a sweet red taste. Somehow funny, as from the outside a "caco" looks somehow like a tomato, but from the inside, it gives away all acidity for an explosion of sugar. Yummy autumnal treat!

SIZE AND WEIGHT

An average persimmon weights approx. 200-250g and is as big as a large tomato, or an apple, with a green leaf on top.

SHAPE

Cachi are an almost perfectly round shape.

SKIN COLOUR AND CHARACTERISTIC

Usually a bright yellow / orange-y red, to complement autumnal colours. The skin is as smooth as that of a tomato.

FLESH COLOUR AND CHARACTERISTIC

Flesh is dark orange-y or "coral" and is full of "pulp". Consistency is quite "weird" as persimmon look almost always overly mature and smooshy.

PICKING PERIOD

It is a tardy fruit obtained for an extremely short period in October and in the autumnal months. Hurry up as we only keep it until in season.

AVAILABILITY

September-November usually. If you manage to enjoy them during Christmas you are lucky!

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES

Very rich in sugar (16%) and vitamins (A, C, K). If had very mature and in large quantity it has also diuretic properties. If eaten non-ripe it is rich of acid tannin. Very caloric: 70 calories for 100g approximately. Ripe and soft, you have to like the consistency!

STORAGE

Let cachi out of the fridge until they ripe and then put them in the fridge.

HOW TO ENJOY THEM

Right before the Christmas holidays, have a persimmon on its own