Fruit of the Gods

As recommended by my daughter, who is weaning her son on them, bought some persimmons at Aldi (69p for three). Used to love these in Brazil, where they are called caqui, which comes from the Japanese - they were introduced to Brazil by Japanese settlers - who have even developed a chocolate variety.

"Persimmon" comes from the Algonquian language - John Smith of Pocahontas fame wrote from Jamestown in 1607: "The fruit is like a medlar...if it be not ripe, it will drawe a man's mouth awrie with much torment, but when it is ripe, it is as delicious as the Apricock."

The ones from Israel are also known as Sharon fruit - after the Plain where they're grown, not the politician.

But the generic name for them, diospyros, comes from the Greek, and means something like "fruit of the gods". This could be because of their flavour, or its nutritional value - full of A and C vitamins and the flavonoid fisetin - miraculous against breast and other cancers - see here for its properties.

To eat, my favourite way is to slice across the equator and scoop out with a spoon - though haven't tried it with this Valencian variety as yet - just make sure it's ripe!