According to folklore, if you split open a locally-grown persimmon seed and the shape inside (called a cotyledon) looks like one of the shapes below, it can forecast the winter ahead:

  • fork = winter will be mild;spoon = there will be a lot of snow;knife = winter will be bitingly cold and “cut like a knife.”

But the persimmon has to be locally grown for it to predict the weather in your area. If you buy a persimmon at the supermarket, it’s not going to predict the weather in your backyard if it was grown in another state or country.

What Is A Persimmon?

A persimmon is a soft, edible fruit (provided you bite into one that is lush and ripe, otherwise, you’re in for an unpleasant surprise) that can be eaten fresh, cooked, or dried.  Persimmons make delicious jams, pies, steamed puddings, bread and muffins, stuffing, curry, and cookies. They are also delicious when sliced and served fresh in green salads with watercress and nuts.

A persimmon is actually a berry that comes from the edible fruit trees in the genus, Diospyros which has been fondly referred to as the “Divine Fruit.”  Native to China, the persimmon has been cultivated for thousands of years. Japan has been cultivating persimmons for about 1300 years. Japanese and Chinese cultivars were first introduced to the U.S. from 1870 to 1920.

Today various cultivars of persimmons are grown in a dozen other countries. The American persimmon, Diospyros virginiana, also known as the Common Persimmon, is grown from Florida to Connecticut, west to Iowa and south to Texas. According to the University of California Davis, most domestic commercial production of persimmons is centered in California; in 2012, the 2,898 acres harvested produced 16,898 tons of fruit.

There are two popular types of persimmons: Hachiya is an astringent variety that is pale, heart, or acorn-shaped. Fuyu is a non-astringent variety (pictured) that is orange, tomato-shaped, and a sweet variety that can be eaten while firm, although it should have a little “give” in the flesh when pressed. Learn how to select the most flavorful persimmon fruit!

What Do Persimmons Taste Like?

Some say the fruits taste similar to apricots, with a pudding-like texture when ripe. Enjoy it with yogurt, or sliced by itself!

Try this delicious, easy recipe that uses ripe Fuyu persimmon fruit:

Broiled Persimmons with Ginger Mascarpone Recipe

  • Deborah Tukua
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