Have you ever tried a persimmon before?
Have you ever tried a persimmon before? How do you know when they’re ripe or when they’re not quite ready yet? There’s always something new to learn about the food you want to eat. For those who are curious, persimmons are also called Sharon fruit. They are not fully mature until late in the fall. So that makes this time of year the perfect time to find some right as they become tasty enough to savor. There are two kinds of this fruit: the astringent and the non-astringent. We will tell you about both of them!
Eating the Sweet Variety
If you’re not big on tangy flavors, sweet persimmons might be the best choice for your first sample. All persimmons are a little bit tangy, but that attribute is a little less noticeable with the sweet variety. You can tell the difference between the two because the sweet one is shaped like a tomato. You’ll probably also see it sold as “Fuyu.” Now then, how can you confirm that your Fuyu is edible? Look at the colors. Orange and deep orange-red indicate full ripeness. Yellow means you can eat it, but it won’t be at its best yet. Avoid eating green persimmons. They’re not ripe, and they’ll taste astringent and off-putting.
Once the fruit is overripe, you don’t need to toss them in the trash. Grab a spoon, peel it open, and use the spoon to finish it. But before you start, rinse it off. You’re not done yet unless you want to skip a few steps. Before you slice it, you must remove the leaves. Once it’s opened up, look for seeds. Remove the seeds and dispose of them. After that, experiment with lemon juice, cream, or sugar. Whichever one appeals to you most!
Tips for Eating the Astringent Variety
Before you can eat the astringent variety, you’ve got to let it finish ripening. Does your batch of persimmons look like a bunch of acorns? Then it’s astringent. They’ll also typically be labeled as “Hachiya.” Wait for these to be soft before attempting to eat. Otherwise, your mouth will go numb. Luckily, the numbness won’t last too long. All you’ve got to do is eat or drink something. Might we suggest persimmon-based smoothies? Oh, and something else you should know is that freezing, microwaving, or soaking the persimmon help reduce or eliminate the astringency!
Get All Your Asian Groceries at Lotte Plaza Market
Lotte Plaza Market is your go-to destination for all of your Korean and Asian grocery needs. With more than 10 Maryland and Virginia locations, this growing market is continually expanding and opening new markets to serve our customers better. Since we opened in 1976, our goal has always been to provide the best customer service and groceries to our customers. For answers to all of your questions, please email us at LottePlaza.com.