Persimmon Madness!

I am elated! I have discovered a new use for my much-loved persimmon tree! This little tree has been producing persimmons for the past few years, through hurricanes, freezes and droughts. Since it is a wild persimmon, it makes the tiny, one-inch in diameter fruits but oh, my goodness, are they delicious! Each year, I eye the fruit from the time the tree blooms in April until it ripens in October. I always cringe when I see the 'possums and coons traipsing up my tree to get their supper. They always eat so many more of the fruits than I ever get to taste!

But now..a new use! One that perhaps will not be impeded by the critters! It was brought to my attention quite by accident that the leaves of the persimmon tree are edible! Well..perhaps not edible but maybe "drinkable"! Darling Daughter was telling me about some farms and produce and sent me a website to view. Well, one thing led to another (as things have a way of doing!) and I wound up looking at an entirely different type of farm! This farm grew persimmon leaves! Yes, persimmon leaves! Oh, I am quite sure they grew the fruit, too, but the leaves are what were harvested! Wild persimmon leaves are used in making an herbal tea! I had no idea!

According to all that I have found, the leaves are remarkably healthy for you and in herbal medicine have many, many uses! These leaves are reputed to lower blood pressure, increase circulation and help prevent arteriosclerosis (fragile capillaries). The tea is said to cure pollen allergies, fight the flu and cure digestive disorders! It also strengthens the immune system and is touted to prevent melanoma. Now after reading all of that..I feel that this must be one amazing leaf! My little persimmon tree seems to be quite the cure-all!

So out I trotted to the Bayou edge where the little tree grows. I picked one basket of the leaves from the lower limbs. These I will dry and crush for teas. The flavor is supposed to be similar to sassafras tea when dried leaves are used. As soon as these dry, I will try my tea. Tomorrow, I will head down to harvest another basketful. I am pondering how to create a drying rack to use outside. With the temperatures hitting near 100 each day and with the lack of moisture due to the drought, the leaves should dry fairly quick. I will need to keep them shaded and well ventilated until the leaves are dried. Perhaps stringing them on lines or some such method! I will definitely experiment! Running the dehydrator just tends to heat up the house way too much!

It takes just about a teaspoon of the dried, crushed leaves to make each cup of tea. Heat the water until boiling, add the leaves and then steep for at least fifteen minutes. The tea leaves should sink to the bottom of the cup as the tea is steeped. The tea can be served warm with honey or iced as a cooling treat. (The warm, honeyed tea is also a great soother for sore throats!) Any leftover tea can be refrigerated for later use. The iced tea sounds delightful with the intense heat of this summer!