Persimmons 柿子 : Where to Buy (Prices) and How to Eat Them

Persimmons are in season now and they are one of my many favorite fruits to eat. They are usually ripe in November and December and many of the Asian markets have them on sale. I wanted to write about these because I saw some at Whole Foods for $1.99. I didn't look to see if it was $1.99 each or $1.99 per pound. Either way those prices are way more expensive than what you can get at an Asian market.

 Fuyu Persimmons

The persimmons pictured above were purchased at Zion Market in Irvine on sale at 2 pounds for 99 cents. That's about 50 cents per pound! I've heard sometimes they're 3 pounds for 99 cents. That's 33 cents per pound! At the 99 Ranch Market they are 59 cents per pound this week (although quality may be different). So if you're daring and don't mind picking your fruit among the many older Asian ladies wanting a good deal, you should try to pick these up at Asian markets. You get a much better deal! I usually get most of my fruits on sale because that means they're in season. Being in season means they're also sweeter. Have you ever purchased fruit out of season? They're more expensive and they're not as delicious. I'm a fruit monger...I love fruit...and from my experience of buying/eating fruit...in season fruits are definitely better.

There are two main kinds in the markets: Hachiya and Fuyu. While I don't know the technical differences between them, here's what I know. Hachiya are the bigger looking ones that are kind of acorn shaped. I don't like these because while they are larger, have seeds in them. The Fuyu kind of look like a flat bottom mini-smooth pumpkin (pictured above). I prefer these because they are usually seedless. Sometimes you do get a seed in it...but you can tell when you bite into one because it's brown and large. Usually it's completely orange inside. I think I have only bitten into a handful of seeds in my time of eating Fuyu.

Also another thing I noticed about persimmons at Whole Foods was their description on how to eat them. They said to eat them hard like an apple. While you can eat it that way, you can also eat them soft. Not mushy soft, but soft like a tomato. For me, the softer it is, the sweeter and juicier it is. While it's also sweet when it's hard and crunchy, I feel like it's not as sweet and juicy as a softer, more ripe persimmon. This obviously depends on your eating preferences. Mangoes and pears are a good example of this. I like softer mangoes and softer pears, while others may like to eat hard mangoes and pears. If you like to eat crunchy things, then you'll probably prefer to eat it hard. In any case, all I'm saying is you can try it both ways and see which way you prefer.

The skin is also a subject of debate. Some people eat the skin while others peel it. I am one who always peels the skin. So it's up to you, but both ways are fine. So cut into one and try it out since they're in season and pretty sweet. (I think the deeper orange colored ones are sweeter than the more yellow colored ones.)