A ripe kaki has a pleasantly sweet and fruity taste reminiscent of a mixture of pear, apricot and honeydew melon. The unripe harvested fruits are best left to ripen in the refrigerator.
Like many exotic fruits, kakis are harvested in the growing countries when they are unripe. In this way, the persimmons can be stored and transported for a long time before they are sold. In commercial cultivation, the fruits are artificially ripened before they are sold. The treatment with ripening gas also neutralizes the tannic acid contained in the fruit so that it no longer leaves a furry feeling in the mouth when eaten.
Enjoy ripe fruit
Ripe persimmons have a smooth, shiny, orange skin and very soft and juicy flesh. They contain many vitamins and have a nutritional value comparable to grapes. Depending on the variety, the fruits differ in size, shape and consistency. The following breeds can be found on the market - especially in the winter months:
- Persimmon (apple-sized, round, sweet, jelly-like flesh only edible when ripe),
- Persimmon or persimmon (oval, firm shell and flesh, colored yellow or red-orange depending on the degree of ripeness),
- Sharon (slightly flattened shape, similar to tomatoes, can also be eaten unripe, does not have an astringent effect).
Unripe fruits ripen in a cool place
The unripe harvested fruits are very firm and can be kept for several months with appropriate cooling. The Sharon fruit and also the persimmon can be eaten without any problems after ripening. The kaki, which has the most flavor to offer when ripe, contains a lot of tannins before it is ready for consumption, which is responsible for the unpleasant, furry feeling on the tongue.
The unripe persimmons can be left to ripen in the refrigerator for several days to a few weeks. In the case of particularly "stubborn" specimens, short-term storage in the freezer may also be an option. When the flesh is very soft, almost pudding-like, the persimmon has reached its full flavor. The fruit can then simply be cut open and scooped out.
tips and tricks
If you have your own persimmon tree, you can let the persimmons ripen on the tree. Long after it has shed its leaves, the fruits remain on the branches and become heavier and sweeter.