Persimmon Color Guide: Identifying Perfectly Ripe Fruit

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

Have you ever wondered "what color is a persimmon" while meandering through the fruit aisle? Identifying a ripe persimmon can be a tad tricky, especially with the variety of types available. Fear not, by the end of this guide, you'll be able to spot a perfectly ripe persimmon with just a glance.

1. Know Your Persimmon Varieties

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of persimmon colors, it's essential to understand that there are different varieties of persimmons, and each one has its unique visual cues for ripeness. Here's a quick rundown of the most common types you'll find:

Fuyu Persimmons

Fuyu persimmons are often compared to tomatoes in terms of shape. They have a rich, orange-red color when ripe, and are generally sweet even when still firm. Here's how to identify them:

Firm to the touch, even when ripe
Glossy, orange-red skin
Flat bottom, with a four-leafed calyx at the top

Hachiya Persimmons

On the other hand, Hachiya persimmons are more elongated and acorn-shaped. They turn a deep, glossy red-orange when ripe and are incredibly astringent if you bite into them too early. Here's what to look for:

Very soft to the touch when ripe
Deep, glossy red-orange skin
Top narrows to a point, with a four-leafed calyx at the top

American Persimmons

American persimmons, native to the eastern United States, are smaller and rounder than their Asian counterparts. They have a dull orange color when ripe and are sweet and mild in flavor. Here's how to spot them:

Soft to the touch when ripe
Dull, light orange skin
Top often indented, with a four-leafed calyx at the top

Now that we've covered the basics of persimmon types, let's move on to the differences in color between ripe and unripe persimmons, which will help answer the question: "what color is a persimmon when it's ripe?"

2. Spot the Color Differences

When it comes to persimmons, color is key. The shades can vary, but there are general guidelines that can help you distinguish between ripe and unripe fruits. Let's take a closer look:

Color of Ripe Persimmons

A ripe persimmon usually sports a vibrant, glossy color — but the hue can range from light orange to deep red, depending on the variety. Here are some points to remember:

Fuyu persimmons: Glossy, orange-red
Hachiya persimmons: Deep, glossy red-orange
American persimmons: Dull, light orange

Color of Unripe Persimmons

An unripe persimmon, on the other hand, tends to have a paler color and lacks the glossy sheen of a ripe one. Let's break it down:

Fuyu persimmons: Pale yellow-orange
Hachiya persimmons: Lighter orange, less glossy
American persimmons: Pale orange, almost tan

Color serves as a handy tool to answer the question "what color is a persimmon when it's ripe?", but other factors are also at play. Let's explore the role of texture in determining a persimmon's ripeness.

3. Feel the Texture

Just like color, the texture of a persimmon can tell you a lot about its ripeness. You know how an apple feels crisp and a ripe peach feels slightly soft? Well, our friend the persimmon has its own unique feel too. So, let's get touchy-feely with persimmons:

Texture of Ripe Persimmons

When ripe, persimmons have different textures depending on their type. Here's the rundown:

Fuyu persimmons: Firm, yet slightly yielding to the touch, like a ripe tomato
Hachiya persimmons: Very soft, similar to a ripe peach or a filled water balloon
American persimmons: Slightly soft, similar to a ripe kiwi

Texture of Unripe Persimmons

Unripe persimmons, however, feel quite different. Here's what you can expect:

Fuyu persimmons: Firm and hard, like an apple
Hachiya persimmons: Firm with a little give, akin to an unripe peach
American persimmons: Very hard, comparable to an unripe pear

So next time you're wondering if a persimmon is ready to eat, give it a gentle squeeze. But remember, while texture can be a great guide, it's not the only sign of a ripe persimmon — aroma plays a part too. Let's take a whiff.

4. Smell the Aroma

Our senses are such fantastic tools, aren't they? We've looked at persimmons, we've touched them, and now it's time to give them a good sniff. Just like with color and texture, the aroma of a persimmon can tell you a lot about its ripeness. Ready to follow your nose? Let's go.

Aroma of Ripe Persimmons

Ever walked past a fruit stand and been hit with the delicious smell of ripe fruit? Well, that's what we're looking for here. Ripe persimmons have a sweet, almost honey-like scent. Here's what you might notice:

Fuyu persimmons: A faintly sweet smell, similar to an apple
Hachiya persimmons: A deep, rich aroma, akin to a ripe peach
American persimmons: A very sweet, almost floral fragrance, like a ripe pear

Aroma of Unripe Persimmons

On the other hand, unripe persimmons don't have much of an aroma. Here's the lowdown:

Fuyu persimmons: Very little smell, just like an unripe apple
Hachiya persimmons: A faint, almost grassy scent
American persimmons: No noticeable aroma

Now, we've used our eyes, hands, and nose. But what about our taste buds? Yes, they're up next. Ready to take a bite?

5. Test the Taste

Now, we finally get to taste our persimmons! The flavor of a persimmon can vary greatly depending on its variety and ripeness. Don't worry though, just as with color, texture, and aroma, your taste buds will give you all the clues you need.

Taste of Ripe Persimmons

There's a reason why ripe persimmons are so loved around the world. They offer unique flavors that are hard to compare to anything else. Here's what you might find:

Fuyu persimmons: Sweet and crisp, similar to an apple but with a hint of cinnamon
Hachiya persimmons: Extremely sweet and slightly custardy, with a hint of honey
American persimmons: Very sweet and slightly spicy, with flavors reminiscent of dates or brown sugar

Taste of Unripe Persimmons

On the flip side, you'll want to avoid biting into an unripe persimmon, as they're known for their astringent, almost chalky flavor. Here's what you might encounter:

Fuyu persimmons: Mildly sweet but mostly bland, similar to an unripe apple
Hachiya persimmons: Extremely astringent, causing a puckering sensation in the mouth
American persimmons: Quite astringent and bitter, like an unripe banana

Now that we've covered all the bases for identifying a ripe persimmon, let's talk about storage. You've found the perfect fruit—now how do you keep it that way?

6. Store Persimmons Properly

Storing persimmons correctly is key to prolonging their shelf life and maintaining their taste. Here's a simple guide to help you keep your persimmons at their best for longer.

Storing Ripe Persimmons

Once a persimmon is ripe, it's like a ticking flavor bomb. To delay the explosion, try these tips:

Keep ripe Fuyu persimmons in the refrigerator. They can last up to a month if they're not too ripe.
Store ripe Hachiya and American persimmons in the fridge as well. They can last a week or two, depending on their ripeness.
Want to enjoy your persimmons later? Freeze them! Wash and peel ripe persimmons, then slice and freeze them. You can toss them in smoothies or thaw them for a cool treat.

Storing Unripe Persimmons

Unripe persimmons, on the other hand, need a bit more patience. Here's how you can speed up the process:

Store unripe Fuyu persimmons at room temperature. They'll ripen in a few days to a week.
Want to speed up the ripening of Hachiya and American persimmons? Place them in a paper bag with an apple or a banana. The ethylene gas from these fruits will help the persimmons ripen faster.

And there you have it! Now you not only know what color a persimmon should be when it's ripe, but also how to store them properly to enjoy their delicious flavor for longer. Remember, the perfect persimmon is just a taste test away!

If you're fascinated by the world of persimmons and want to take your appreciation for this fruit to the next level, check out the workshop 'How to Draw A Fruit In ProCreate' by Vicky Catalan. This workshop will teach you how to create beautiful and realistic digital illustrations of persimmons and other fruits using ProCreate, allowing you to showcase your passion for perfectly ripe fruit through art.