[Sca-cooks] persimmons

[David Friedman]

As far as I can tell, the old world persimmons are native to the far 
east. The word "persimmon" comes from an Indian language.

Is there any evidence that any sort of persimmon was known in Europe 
prior to the discovery of the American persimmon? It seems to have 
been a novelty when described by Capt. John Smith in 1607.

>There are several species that are period and some that are New 
>World, I don't think there are very many period recipes for there use
>other than eating them fresh.
>
>
>                                     Master B
>
>>  Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2010 00:34:43 -0700
>>  From: ahrenshav at yahoo.com
>>  To: sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org
>>  Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] persimmons
>>
>>  My original thoughts precisely.  I did look persimmons up online 
>>and found a site which stated that persimmons were not introduced 
>>to Europe until the 1830s, but now I cannot find that site.  Which 
>>is fine, because it might not have been accurate. 
>>
>>  In the Oxford Companion to Food, the article does not say when 
>>Europe first tasted persimmons, but there are quotes from Europeans 
>>who explored North America.  The first European to write about them 
>>was Don Fernando de Soto, in 1539, although his account is not 
>>given.  The second was Captain John Smith, who wrote, "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 an Apricock." 
>>
>>  With the lack of hard evidence, I decided not to argue whether 
>>persimmons were period or not, but rather that they would not be 
>>ripe in time for the contest.
>>
>>  Huette
>>
>>
>>
>>  --- On Tue, 9/7/10, Stefan li Rous <StefanliRous at austin.rr.com> wrote:
>>
>>  > From: Stefan li Rous <StefanliRous at austin.rr.com>
>>  > Subject: [Sca-cooks] persimmons
>>  > To: "Cooks within the SCA" <sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org>
>>  > Date: Tuesday, September 7, 2010, 8:51 PM
>>  > Huette commented:
>>  > <<< This year's theme was to be persimmons, but I
>>  > managed to talk them out of it because there are none on the
>>  > market, since their season has not started yet.
>>  > >>>
>>  >
>>  > I was about to exclaim something along the lines of "Who
>>  > the #$$% would come up with *persimmons* as a surprise
>>  > ingredient in such a contest! You probably can't even find a
>>  > single period recipe, much less find some for food use! What
>>  > a dumb idea!"
>>  >
>>  > But, maybe I just ought to check something before I open my
>>  > mouth...
>>  >
>>  > persimmons-msg (15K) 11/27/09 Eating persimmons. Recipes.
>>  > Where grown.
>>  > http://www.florilegium.org/files/FOOD-FRUITS/persimmons-msg.html
>>  >
>>  > Chagrined.
>>  >
>>  > Stefan
>>  >
>>  > Hope I can send this before my backup power goes...
>>  > --------
>>  > THLord Stefan li Rous    Barony of Bryn
>>  > Gwlad    Kingdom of Ansteorra
>>  >    Mark S. Harris      
>>  >    Austin, Texas      
>>  >   StefanliRous at austin.rr.com
>>  > **** See Stefan's Florilegium files at:  http://www.florilegium.org ****
>>  >
>>  >
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>>  >
>>
>>
>>
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-- 
David Friedman
www.daviddfriedman.com
daviddfriedman.blogspot.com/