Persimmon Festival

In autumn when the leaves fall, the persimmon fruits remain on the tree. Then it is necessary to admire the persimmon! Gray branches hung with bright orange balls. It seems that someone tied them on purpose with strings. Persimmon fruits are round or oval in shape, the skin is smooth and shiny, the color is from yellow to orange-red and the flesh of the persimmon fruit has a lighter color.

The first  Persimmon Festival, organized by the Executive Power of Balaken District, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan, and the Balkhoorma company is held in the city of Balaken.

Two-day festive events are held in Heydar Aliyev Park. Guests are presented various products from persimmon, organized exhibitions, performances of folk groups, musicians and singers, an interesting entertainment program.

The northern part of China is considered the native land of a persimmon, all over the world there are more than 500 kinds of this fruit. In Azerbaijan, this fruit has been grown for a long time, and the rural inhabitants of our regions know a lot about its beneficial properties. Persimmon is grown in many regions of the country, but the most delicious, no doubt, in the Balakan region. Over ten varieties of persimmon are grown here. A kind of persimmon is especially loved with us - the blood beetle, in another it is called “hopper”. The great demand for Azerbaijani persimmon in the last decade, especially consumers in Russia, has stimulated local farmers to expand land for growing persimmon. Its tons are exported to Russia and other neighboring countries.

Many poets praised persimmon because these beautiful bright fruits hanging on bare dry branches against the background of dazzling blue cold sky are the symbol of autumn. Many nations consider the persimmon a symbol of wisdom, a talisman, a source of beauty and health. In Japan, persimmon is considered a symbol of strength and victory, while in China it represents joy and prosperity. In Azerbaijan, it is believed that in a woman persimmon awakens attractiveness and humility, and helps men to pacify their anger and cope with stress. In the East, persimmon is considered the fruit of the prophets and elevated to the rank of a holy plant.

Persimmon is widely used in cooking in the manufacture of salads, waterfowl dishes and desserts (jelly, jam, marmalade and others), as well as various drinks. Persimmon pulp can be used in baking, mixed with cream cheese, orange juice, honey and get an unusual dressing for salads. Persimmon has tonic properties. It improves appetite, increases efficiency, soothes the nervous system. From this berry prepare doshab, sherbet and drinks, it is consumed in dried form.