The genus Diospyros belongs to the family Ebenaceae. Species of this genus are mostly found in tropical areas and less frequently other places around the world. The genus consists of 400 species, mainly trees and bushes. According the species can be divided into two main categories. The first group are mainly used for fruit consumption and in other group are species, which are primarily used for hardwood; ebony. One of the fruit characteristic is that they have astringent taste, so ethylene is needed for fruit to become mellow. Most important and only one species in Europe is Diospyros kaki L. On the other continents less known species occur, such as so Diospyros virginiana L., Diospyros lotus L., Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst., Diospyros oleifera Cheng. and Diospyros nigra (J.F.Gmel.) Perrier. All species differ in color, shape, size of fruit and size of trees or bushes and in climatic and geological requirements. This is the main reason, that species are widespread in the world. The use of the fruits is quite similar. All of them can be used fresh, dry or otherwise processed. Interesting for consume as well as the therapeutic use is that, they all contain a lot of vitamin A and vitamin C.
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