Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas mark 4
Stir the soda into the persimmon pulp and set aside. Cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the sour cream, then the persimmon mixture. Sift the flour with the baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Add to creamed mixture along with the raisins. Mix thoroughly.
Drop by teaspoons onto greased baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Wait until firm in the oven, and remove to a wire rack to cool comletely.
