How To Cut A Fuyu Or Hachiya Persimmon (Do This!)
There are more than 50 different types of persimmons in the world. The Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons are known as Asian or Japanese persimmons. In Japan, China, and Korea, they are known as kaki fruit, Japan’s national fruit.
To cut a Fuyu persimmon, remove the skin, slice in half and wedge the fruit. To cut a Hachiya persimmon, use a paring knife to remove the leaves and cut out the core. Then, use a spoon to remove the inside of the persimmon.
Types of Persimmons
While several types of persimmons grow across the world, the most common are Japanese varieties. Fuyu and Hachiya are Japanese varieties, but before you eat them, make sure you can tell them apart!
Fuyu Persimmons
Fuyu persimmons have a similar shape to tomatoes, short and squat. When they turn orange, you can tell they are ripe and eat them like an apple. Fuyu persimmons can be used in salads, added to breakfast cereal, or frozen to put in smoothies.
These persimmons will keep for several months if stored in a dry, dark, and cool place. If you set them on the counter, they will soften, and at this point, can be used for purees.
Hachiya Persimmons
Hachiya persimmons are a little larger than Fuyu persimmons and more acorn-shaped. The main difference between the two is that Hachiya persimmons are extremely bitter until they are soft and ripe. To ripen a Hachiya persimmon, leave it on the counter.
To speed up the ripening process, you can place it in a paper bag with a ripe banana. You want to be able to squeeze it like an overripe tomato. Once ripe, the flesh will be soft and pudding-like and easy to scoop out with a spoon.
How to Cut a Fuyu Persimmon
Persimmons are sweet and unique in the fact that they are rich in many vitamins. To cut a Fuyu persimmon, you should slice it in half and then into wedges.
Step 1: Peel the Persimmon Skin
Using a peeler, peel the persimmon skin using a pull-back motion. Continue doing this around the fruit until you completely remove the skin. This is optional as the skin is edible, but it’s less likely for the knife to slip when slicing it.
Step 2: Stand the Persimmon Vertically on the Cutting Board
Stand your persimmon up vertically on the cutting board, centered and stable so that it doesn’t move when cutting it.
Step 3: Trim the Persimmon Leaves
Use a kitchen knife or kitchen shears to trim the persimmon leaves as much as possible. This makes the removal of the stem much easier.
Step 4: Remove the Stem
Remove the stem by making a shallow V-cut, only slightly longer than the stem. Be sure not to make too deep of a cut and remove too much of the actual fruit.
Step 5: Cut the Persimmon in Half
Place the middle of the knife down the center of the persimmon where the stem used to be. Using a downward motion, slice the fruit in half.
Step 6: Slice the Persimmon into Wedges
Cut the persimmon halves in half again using the same motion to make wedges. Continue cutting the halves in half until you are happy with the size. Typically, wedges will be around one to two centimeters depending on your preference or the dish you’re preparing.
How to Cut a Hachiya Persimmon
While the Hachiya persimmon and Fuyu persimmon have a similar taste, you need to cut them differently. This is due to their different textures, densities, and water contents. To consume the Hachiya persimmon, slice it in half, and scoop out the inner fruit.
Step 1: Place Upright on a Cutting Board
Place the persimmon on the cutting board in an upright and stable position. You want to prevent the persimmon from slipping off the cutting board or slipping under the knife when cutting it.
Step 2: Cut the Persimmon Leaves at Their Base
Using a sharp kitchen knife, cut the persimmon leaves at their base. The leaves can be relatively thick and tough, so a sharp knife is essential. This step makes removing the stem much easier because there will be less in the knife’s way.
Step 3: Cut a V-Shape Around and Underneath the Stem
Make a shallow V-shape cut around the stem, then pull the stem out with your hands. The V-cut should only be slightly longer than the actual stem.
Step 4: Slice the Persimmon in Half
Use a sharp knife and cut down the center of the persimmon where the stem used to be. Be aware of your hand and knife placement so that you don’t cut yourself.
Step 5: Scoop Out the Inner Fruit
Using a spoon, scoop out the inner fruit out of its skin. To do this, scoop out the contents from the side of the persimmon where the fruit meets the skin. Use a similar method as you would to scoop the contents of an avocado.
How to Grow a Persimmon Tree
To successfully grow a young fruit tree, you need to make sure that the soil is fertile. To do this, check your soil pH by contacting your county for soil testing information or purchasing a soil meter. The soil meter can give you quick and accurate results.
Persimmons prefer soil pH of 6.0-7.0 and well-drained and slightly acidic soil. The ideal location of a persimmon tree should receive full sun. Where you space it will depend on the variety; American 30-50 feet apart and Asian 15-20 feet apart.
Planting a Persimmon Tree
Persimmons have a strong taproot and naturally appear black, so don’t be alarmed if they look diseased or dead.
To plant a persimmon tree, dig a hole big enough to accommodate the root system. The root should be planted at the same depth as in the nursery row, no more than 1-inch below. Then, position the tree in the hole and fill it with the original soil.
Water the tree liberally so that the water can soak down to the roots. Don’t fertilize the tree at planting time. Finally, mulch the entire planting area, pulling the mulch a few inches away from the trunk, preventing moisture from accumulating.
Potting a Persimmon Tree
You can grow persimmon trees in containers and store them in a basement or garage during the winter. When grown in pots, you should repot these trees every two to three years with fresh soil.
To pot the persimmon tree, plant it at the same depth it is in the shipping pot. Choose a potting mix rather than topsoil to avoid any contaminants, and prevent the roots from compacting. The pot should have drainage and be large enough to accommodate the tree’s current root system with room to grow.
In cool climates, keep the trees protected until the temperatures are warm and there’s no chance of frost. Then move the plant into a sunny location with southern exposure. Water the persimmon tree as needed, but avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot and other root issues.
As the tree grows, increase the pot size. You can expect to grow persimmon trees in 7-gallon, 10-gallon, and 20-gallon containers, or larger containers as needed. If you do grow persimmon trees in larger containers, be sure that you can move them inside during cold weather.
Health and Nutrition Benefits of Persimmons
Persimmons are tasty, and they can benefit your health and wellbeing in many ways. Though small in size, persimmons contain many nutrients.
Here are seven benefits of persimmons:
Persimmons Are Loaded with Nutrients
Persimmons are high in vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, C, and B, as well as potassium and manganese. They are also a good source of B1, B2, folate, magnesium, and phosphorus.
Persimmons Have Antioxidant Properties
Persimmons are a good source of antioxidants like carotenoids and flavonoids. Those who have diets rich in both of these antioxidants have a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Persimmons Are Beneficial to Heart Health
Persimmons contain flavonoid antioxidants and tannins. Both can benefit heart health by lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and decreasing cholesterol levels.
Persimmons Help Reduce Inflammation
Persimmons are rich in vitamin C, which reduces inflammation, a common cause of many ailments.
Persimmons Are Rich in Fiber
Persimmons are fiber-rich foods that can help lower cholesterol, reduce blood sugar levels, and help keep your digestive system healthy.
Persimmons Help Support Healthy Vision
Persimmons are high in vitamin A, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These are all nutrients that support healthy vision.
Persimmons Are Easy to Add to Your Diet
If you’re looking for an extra dose of nutrition, you can add persimmons to a variety of different dishes. They pair well with both sweet and savory foods like oatmeal, smoothies, and even meat dishes. Or, they can be enjoyed alone as a snack.
Related Questions
How should I store persimmons?
There are several ways to store persimmons. Though it’s best to eat ripe persimmons immediately, you can refrigerate them for one to two days. If persimmons are unripe, they can last in the refrigerator for up to one month unwashed in a plastic bag.You can place Hachiya persimmons on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, and then store them in freezer bags. You can freeze pureed persimmon for up to six months by adding a teaspoon of lemon juice per cup before freezing.
What flavors pair best with persimmons?
Though many people enjoy eating persimmons on their own, they are also a good addition to recipes. They pair best with flavors of almond, ginger, kiwi, orange, lime, hazelnut, soft cheese, and walnuts, to name a few. If you want to add persimmon to your everyday dishes, try adding pureed persimmons to your favorite jams. You can also chop persimmons to use them in place of pineapple in salsas. You can then add that salsa to savory items, like soft cheese.
How long does it take for a persimmon tree to bear fruit?
Persimmons are relatively easy to grow as they are tolerant of most soils as long as there is proper drainage. The key to growing persimmons is to choose several varieties to grow based on where you live. How cold your winter is will determine which types to grow. After planting, persimmons will start to bear fruit two to three years later. Some grafted trees will bear fruit even sooner, typically about a year after planting. Keep in mind that Asian persimmons prefer mild winter weather, whereas American and hybrid persimmons like cold-weather regions.Â
Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent's former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.
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