A kaki in Japan can cost as much as US$ 10 dollars per piece and it is all worth it! During my travels to America and Europe this past fall, I tasted kaki fruits almost daily. I find something about the kaki fruit (persimmon) to be one of the most beautiful fruits.

The skin is silky and the taste and texture unique to this fruit. The outer surface often has “age spots” and these tell signs of fughi that are not harmful. The skin develops a patina and the orange and black spots converge to give character to the fruit. I particularly look for these age spots in order to know that they are harvested from trees in a local hillside.

These orange fruits are not only beautiful and healthy, containing plenty of beta-carotene, flavonoids, potassium, and vitamin C. More interestingly, the lycopene, is the bright red carotene and carotenoid pigment and phytochemical found in tomatoes. It is also in other red fruits and vegetables, such as red carrots, red bell peppers, watermelons, and papayas but not strawberries or cherries. These nutrients reduce age-related problems with eye degeneration.

Eating orange makes medical claims that are said to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, and lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, promote collagen formation and healthy joints. But most importantly they fight harmful free radicals, encourage alkaline balance, and work with magnesium and calcium to build healthy bones.

Eat more orange this fall!