Varieties of persimmon

Classes of persimmons

Main varieties of persimmons

sharon
Sharon variety

The main varieties of persimmon are divided into:

Non-astringent varieties: They are sweet varieties that can be eaten without having to undergo a process of removing astringency. Some may even be eaten when not fully mature. Among them we have the following:

  • Fuyu: This is a well-known non-astringent variety. It is a very productive big tree. The fruits are bright orange, pulp is compact, strong, light orange and with very few seeds. It is usually collected in late fall or early winter.
  • Jiro: A smaller tree. Very abundant in Japan, it produces very sweet yellow fruits. Typically collected in early autumn.
  • Honan red: As variety Fuyu, it is a large tree with high production. Its fruits, very sweet, are orange red when ripe.
  • Sharon: Israeli crossing of several varieties. It is actually a kind of kaki brand, very smooth, with low-flavor. Its astringency has been removed chemically, therefore, it can be consumed when it is still very hard.

Astringent varieties: These varieties of bitter taste and high astringency have to be allowed to ripen on the tree very well and, then, they have to undergo a process to remove astringency. To attain it, they have to be subjected to alcohol vapors or stored in cold.

In compensation for their astringency, they differ from non-astringent varieties, in fact, they do not have any seeds. The good “gourmet” consider these superior varieties tho the other ones because they say these astringent varieties possess “more complex” flavours. The main varieties include the following:

  • Hachiya: One of the most recognized astringent variety. This is a big and productive tree. The fruit looks like a bright orange cone. Typically collected from mid-autumn to early winter.
  • Eureka: Unlike the previous one, it is a small size tree, but very productive. It is an American variety enduring lack of water and cold very well.
  • Koushu-Hyakume: Mainly used for drying.

Main species of persimmons

The four most commonly used species of persimmons are:

  • The Japanese persimmon or kaki (Diospyros kaki): It is the most used because of its fruits. Extensively studied in our article.
  • The American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana): It is a dioecious tree up to 20 meters. Short trunk and very long and drooping branches. Leaves oblong, acute, long petiolated, hairy beneath. Pale yellow flowers appear in July.
  • The Date plum (Diospyros lotus): A species of persimmon from southeastern Asia and southwestern Europe. It grows from eastern Asia to the southern Mediterranean, being especially grown in the Caucasus from 600 m from sea level. It can climb to 2000 m.
  • The Texas persimmon, Mexican persimmon, chapote, chapote prieto o chapote manzano (Diospyros texana) species of persimmon, from Texas and New Mexico. A tree or shrub up to about 3 m high, with numerous stems bearing reddish gray bark that breaks down as the tree becomes adult and appear in shades of pink, gray or white. (More)

diopiroinr

A drawing of American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)

diospiruoto

A drawing of date plum (Diospyros lotus)

Species of persimmons (Diospyros)

There are between 450 and 500 species of the genus Diospyros. Among the main we can point out the following:

Diospyros acreana

Diospyros acris

Diospyros acuta

Diospyros ambigua

Diospyros amplexicaulis

Diospyros artanthifolia

Diospyros assimilis

Diospyros australis

Diospyros bambuseti

Diospyros boliviana

Diospyros canaliculata

Diospyros canomoi

Diospyros celebica

Diospyros chloroxylon

Diospyros ciliata

Diospyros crassiflora

Diospyros confertifolia

Diospyros cooperi

Diospyros crassinervis

Diospyros digyna

Diospyros discolor

Diospyros ebenaster

Diospyros ebenum

Diospyros fasciculosa

Diospyros feminina

Diospyros fischeri

Diospyros glauca

Diospyros hayatai

Diospyros humilis

D. insularis Bakh

Diospyros kaki

Diospyros klaineana

Diospyros kurzii

Diospyros lancifolia

Diospyros letestui

Diospyros lotus

Diospyros mabacea

Diospyros macrocalyx

Diospyros major (

Diospyros maritima

Diospyros marmorata

Diospyros melanoxylon

Diospyros mespiliformis

Diospyros miaoshanica

Diospyros multiflora

Diospyros pavonii

Diospyros pentamera

Diospyros pterocalycina

Diospyros sanza-minika

Diospyros sandwicensis

Diospyros siamang

Diospyros subrotata Hiern

Diospyros texana

Diospyros trichophylla

Diospyros ulo

Diospyros villosa

Diospyros virgata

Diospyros virginiana

punto rojo More information on persimmon.

This article was endorsed by Elisenda Carballido - Dietitian nutritionist. Postgraduate in Phytotherapy and master in Nutrition and Metabolism.
Editorial
Written by Editorial Botanical-online team in charge of content writing

13 March, 2024

Other interesting articles

This material is for informational purposes only. In case of doubt, consult the doctor.
"Botanical-online" is not responsible for damages caused by self-medication.