Persimmon Tree and a Foraging Update

Today on my lunchtime walk I discovered a persimmon tree. I had been given a tip that there was one in the area, but not its exact location. I tasted a not so ripe fruit and it was horrible. This made me very nervous that I had the wrong plant. So when I got back to work I checked on the internet. Nope, I was right: it was a persimmon, but what I didn't know is best summarized by this quote from John Smith of Jamestown fame (I got the quote from Steve Brill's website):

"If it be not ripe it will drawe a mans mouth awrie with much torment; but when it is ripe, it is as delicious as an Apricock."

Don't know about the second clause yet, but the first is certainly on the mark!

In other foraging news: The grapes are starting to ripen. I haven't found a huge batch yet, but several medium size ones. One is less than a mile from my house and is on the path I ride my bike to and from work. It may be too early, but everything else seems to be ahead of schedule this year, so I'm thinking of trying to make a small batch of grape juice this weekend with the boys.

Last weekend, the boys made sumacade. At first I refused to try it, because early this spring I tried a sumac shoot and my mouth and tongue broke out horribly. I'm allergic to mangos and I read later, if you are, beware! But after watching Thing #1 enjoying it immensely, I decided to try a small glass. No reaction. The next day I had a big glass. No reaction. I finally decided whatever it was I was allergic to in the stalk is not in the ade. Which is good, because I liked the flavor. We also picked about a quart of autumnberries and made juice from them. It was good, and I liked it even better when I tried Thing #1's idea of mixing it 50/50 with sumacade.

Today I also collection a handful of ground-cherries. I ate several, but I'm saving the rest for Thing #1. I collected some last week and everyone but him tried them. He was upset he missed out, so I'm making up for it this time...