The absolute best in taste, texture and nutrition : Korean persimmon

The absolute best in taste, texture, and nutrition : Korean persimmon

With a high sugar content and rigorous quality control, Korean persimmons have increasingly gained recognition abroad. Korean persimmons grow in areas with fertile soil and plenty of sunlight. The highly advanced farming technologies used to grow Korean persimmons are what give the fruit its sweetness and crunch. Korean persimmons, which have great storability, are evaluated and selected according to sugar content, weight, color, and gloss. Export standards vary by country to meet the unique tastes of each market. Inexpensive, smaller fruits are usually provided to regular markets and bigger fruits are sold at department stores and upscale markets. Korean persimmon exports are continuing to expand. The popularity of the Korean persimmon is soaring in places such as Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, and Dubai.

The Korean persimmon, which comes in many different varieties, has become popular abroad for its excellent quality. Compared to China and Israel, Korea has a short history of persimmon exports; nonetheless, the crunchy Korean persimmon has gained popularity abroad for its freshness and sweet taste. Processed persimmon foods, such as chewy gotgam (dried persimmon), jelly-like gam mallaengi (dried persimmon) and natural ice hongsi (iced ripe persimmon), have also received good reviews from overseas markets.

Efficacy 1. Becoming more beautiful and slender with the Korean persimmon

In spite of its high sugar content, the Korean persimmon is low in calories (44kcal per 100g) and is said to be an effective diet food. It is also rich in vitamins. Half of a persimmon contains 110mg of Vitamin C, which is even more than the recommended daily amount (100mg). Korean persimmons have such a high sugar content and are so rich in vitamins because of the abundance of sunlight they receive while growing.

Efficacy 2. Improving eye health and arteriosclerosis

There are various kinds of functional substances in persimmons. Persimmons are high in beta-carotene, which helps relieve fatigue. Pectin in persimmons also improves arteriosclerosis by absorbing and eliminating bad cholesterol. Eating persimmons also increases antioxidants in the blood and decreases damage to the white blood cells, which is helpful in maintaining good health.

Efficacy 3. Eat Korean persimmons if you are a drinker or smoker

Persimmons are rich in tannins, which help relieve hangovers. You can even get relief from heartburn by eating persimmons the day after drinking. Persimmons also have detoxification properties. In addition, persimmons help discharge cotinine—a metabolic product of the carcinogen nicotine found in cigarettes—out of the body.

Fun to choose and eat! Processed Korean persimmon products are available in a wide variety of shapes and textures.

Although some Korean persimmons are sold fresh, others are made into various processed foods for export. Chewy and sweet gotgam (dried persimmon), jelly-like gam mallaengi (dried persimmon) and frozen iced hongsi (ripe iced persimmon) are just some of these delectable products.

Best 3 processed persimmon products

Gotgam (dried persimmon)

Gotgam (dried persimmon) is made by drying peeled persimmons for a long period of time. This process results in a high concentration of all the vitamins contained in a fresh persimmon. Korean gotgam is popular among consumers from the U.S., Canada, and Japan. Exports of gotgam to Vietnam and New Zealand are also on the rise.

Gam mallaengi (dried persimmon)

Despite the drying process, jelly-like gam mallaengi contains all the vitamins and flavonoids of a fresh persimmon. Gam mallaengi is gaining attention as a well-being snack in Japan, the U.S., and Europe and is also gaining recognition in Southeast Asian markets such as Thailand.

Ice hongsi (ripe iced persimmon)

Ice hongsi (frozen persimmon) is like a fruit ice cream made with the sweetness of nature. Since it is cold and convenient to eat, its popularity is soaring in Southeast Asian markets with subtropical climates. Ice hongsi is also enjoyed as a luxury dessert in countries such as Hong Kong, where exports continue to grow.

Major persimmon exporting districts

Gimhae exporting 3,000 tons of persimmons a year

Jinyoung’s sweet persimmons from Gimhae in Gyeongsangnamdo are exported to Malaysia, Singapore, and other nations. The quality of these persimmons has gained recognition abroad, and exports to Malaysia increased this year by 10% up from the previous year. The major importer of Jinyoung’s sweet persimmons is Singapore, which is the 3rd biggest persimmon importer overall of the 14 countries currently importing Korean persimmons. This year’s export goal was 3,000 tons.

Changwon improving competiveness with earlier persimmon harvests

Changwon in Gyeongsangnam-do exports 1,300 tons of sweet persimmons to Hong Kong and Singapore each year. Changwon, in particular, has improved its competitiveness by growing a variety of persimmons that can be harvested earlier than other varieties. The city of Changwon is distributing its farming techniques for high-quality persimmons and actively developing new markets.

Cheongdo exporting persimmons and mallaengi free of any astringent taste

Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, exports “Cheongdobansi”, a type of seedless persimmon that has no astringent taste. Cheongdobansi are very sweet and soft and taste like a cross between an orange and apple; this unique taste makes Cheongdobansi popular in Southeast Asia. Cheongdo-gun also exports gam mallaengi (dried persimmon) and ice hongsi (ripe iced persimmon).

Gurye exporting persimmons to Dubai

Gurye in Jeollanam-do exports persimmons to Dubai in the Middle East and Southeast Asian markets such as Malaysia. The sweet and crunchy persimmons of Gurye are especially popular in the Dubai market. Gurye-gun also operates comprehensive consulting services for exporting farms to improve their export competitiveness.