Did you know?
Not all persimmons are astringent. For people like me, too impatient to wait until fruits are fully ripe to start eating from a tree, there is an alternative! Non-astringent varieties (often called “fuyu”) are available, and often found in gardens around Melbourne.
How can you tell the difference???
Well, the non-astringent persimmons often have a flatter bottom, compared to the astringent which often have more of a heart shape.
Another good clue is the color, non-astringents are often a bit paler and they tend to have bird bites…
Finally, if still unsure, take a huge bite in one!!! If it feels crunchy like an apple, sweet like a rock melon and tastes like a mix of all the best flavors in the world… its probably a non-astringent persimmon!