Thanks to the exotic nature of the persimmon, and its lack of popularity, most of us are simply totally unaware of when persimmon is actually ripe.
You may have bought some, and now you are staring at them wondering if they are ripe, or unripe, and what on earth you do with them.
We have all been there, having bought some persimmons, but confused because they look a bit like an orange version of a tomato and thus think they are not totally ripe yet.
Today, we will talk you through how you can tell if a persimmon is ripe and what you should do if you are faced with an unripe persimmon.
We should first inform you about the fuyu persimmon, this is the most popular you can get at the store. This is the better one. The hachiya persimmon is soft and has a redder color to it when it is ripened. Thanks to how soft it is, it can be a pain to try and eat, so it is not as popular as the fuyu persimmon.
When Is Persimmon Usually Ripe?
Ripe persimmons are usually a powerful orange color, and their texture will be soft, rather like a plum or a tomato. Ripe persimmons are a bit of a mixture between a peach and a mango. Their flavor is earthy and rather autumnal.
Overall though, these are nice-tasting fruits when they are ripe, and their texture can actually be really enjoyable, as long as you wait for them to fully ripen.
Their texture and color are the main giveaways to help you tell that the fruit has fully ripened. It also won’t have a pungent odor until you cut it either, so you cannot rely on your nose to tell you if it is ripe or not.
If you do enjoy the taste of persimmon then it can be a great alternative to using mango, especially since it is more convenient, doesn’t have an annoying pit in the middle, and can be more enjoyable for some, as some people really do not like mango.
Oh, let’s not forget you can also eat persimmon with its skin and seeds, much like you would eat an apple or a tomato (if you do that kind of thing).
Is It Okay To Eat Unripe Persimmon?
If you do eat unripe persimmon it will not have a negative effect on your health, but, we cannot say that it will taste good at all though. Some persimmons will taste really unpleasant and sour if you eat them unripe.
At the very worst they may not be very sweet and can leave you with a dry mouth as their astringency will only go away when they are ripe. However, do note this is not the case for every persimmon, some are edible when unripe, but it depends on the astringency of the type.
You should probably avoid eating unripe persimmon if you want to have a good taste.
You should put unripe persimmon into a paper bag and place them in a fruit bowl to help them ripen up faster. If you keep them near avocados, apples, or even bananas then this can help speed up the process of their ripening as they emit ethylene.
If you want to eat them 4 to 5 days after purchase, then leave them in the fridge and take them out a day or two before you plan to eat them.
Also, If you are storing them in your refrigerator then do not put them near other foods as it can alter their longevity in the refrigerator.
You may not expect it, but persimmons can also be frozen as well, doing this can make them last much longer, up to half a year in fact. We do not recommend leaving them in the freezer for any longer than this, however.
How To Use Persimmon
Persimmon has plenty of uses, you needn’t only limit yourself to eating it as a raw fruit, you can eat it in many other ways. Let us give you some ideas!
- Persimmon in salads: Persimmon can actually make a great addition to a fruit salad, but it may also work in a regular vegetable salad as well. If you are having beef or duck in or with your salad, persimmon pairs with these meats beautifully.
- Persimmon sorbet/ice cream: A great dairy-free dessert can be making a persimmon sorbet or ice cream. If you don’t have an issue with milk, we suggest trying the ice cream, but the sorbet is flavorful and delicious!
- Smoothies: Persimmon smoothies are never a bad idea. You can mix them in with other favorite fruits of yours, perhaps some mango, banana, or even a bit of pineapple to really compliment the persimmon. Spices like cinnamon mix well with persimmon as well!
- Bread: Persimmon is actually pretty common in baking, and persimmon bread makes a great alternative to banana bread if you want to try something a little different. It tastes divine and you can play around with a different fruit open in your baking. Talk about opening up new horizons in the kitchen!
Overall
It is not too tricky to tell when persimmon is ripe thanks to its very strong color which is the main way to tell that it is okay to eat. But, do not forget to check the texture as well, as the texture can serve as a great hint. Color can also be misleading with some types of persimmon, so it is better than you are certain.
Some persimmons will be fine to eat when not fully ripe, but be sure to check the persimmon you have, the most popular Asian persimmon will usually be fine, but always double-check.
FAQs:
Should A Persimmon Be Soft Or Hard?
A ripe persimmon will be soft to the touch, but it will not be gooey or overly soft. Persimmons that are hard are not fully ripened yet.
What Month Are Persimmons Ready?
Persimmons will usually start being harvested in September and the harvest will continue into late November. The fruit is rumored to fully ripen after the first frost of the season.
The color of the fruit will range so it is not always reliable.
What Happens If You Eat Unripe Persimmon?
Unripe persimmon will not harm you, but it will not taste very nice. If it is very hard it might cause some stomach upset or bezoar.
How Long Does It Take For Persimmons To Ripen?
If you leave a persimmon at room temperature it will usually ripen within 3 to 4 days.
Additionally, she spent a few years working for Smoothie King, where she gained extensive knowledge about making smoothies.
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