Hachiya persimmons are medium to large fruits, averaging 3-4" in diameter, and have an oval and elongated shape. The fruits have distinct, curved, and broad shoulders, tapering to a small point on the non-stem end, and are similar in appearance to an acorn. The skin is glossy, smooth, taut, and thin when young, occasionally bearing black sunspots, and the surface ripens to a yellow-orange, orange, or red-orange hue when mature. The skin will also become more translucent and will wrinkle as the fruit ripens. Underneath the surface, the flesh is dense, firm, and golden orange when unripe with a high tannin content, creating an unpalatable, astringent flavor. As the fruit matures, the tannins break down in the flesh, producing a gelatinous, aqueous, and soft texture with increased sweetness. Ripe Hachiya persimmons have a very soft, delicate, and squishy feel, similar in consistency to a water balloon when squeezed. The ripe fruits also contain a sweet, honeyed flavor with subtle nuances of brown sugar, cinnamon, mango, and apricot. Astringent cultivars have water-soluble tannins in the flesh of the fruit at maturity (harvest) and do not normally lose their astringency until soft and ripe. Learn more: Growing Persimmon trees.
