Japanese Persimmon Varieties

Japanese or Oriental persimmons (Diospyros kaki Linn) are attractive trees known for their ease of care and hardiness, according to M. L. Parker, a horticultural specialist with North Carolina State University. There are 20 varieties, which are sorted into three groups depending on whether the persimmons are astringent, astringent only when seedless or non-astringent. Astringent persimmons must be left to soften completely before they can be eaten, while non-astringent cultivars can be eaten while they are still crisp.

There are seven astringent varieties of Japanese persimmons, some of which are more popular with home gardeners and commercial growers than others. "Eureka" is a tree that bears very high-quality fruit late in the season. The persimmons are bright reddish-orange and the tree itself is quite hardy, being both drought and frost resistant. In addition, "Eureka" is a prolific producer, making it a favorite variety with commercial growers in Florida and Texas.

"Hachiya" trees produce large, long orange persimmons with a beautifully glossy skin. The fruit of this variety is very sweet and is often dried. The tree is hardy, with a wide canopy. "Hachiya" Japanese persimmon trees are commonly grown in California.

Non-astringent Japanese persimmons can be eaten right off the tree as soon as they are ripe. Some are as crisp as an apple, and just as sweet. There are eight varieties of non-astringent persimmons.

"Fuyu" (or Fuyugaki) features medium to large, slightly elongated fruit with a light orange skin and a mild, sweet taste. The tree is a vigorous grower, with a spreading canopy and produces a lot of fruit. These persimmons store and ship very well, making "Fuyu" the most popular variety of non-astringent persimmon in Japan.

"Jiro" is a variety that produces large fruit of a high quality and excellent, sweet flavor. The skin is reddish-orange. These persimmons also store and ship well and are the most popular non-astringent persimmon trees grown in California. They are very similar to "Fuyu" in appearance and are often sold as such.

Pollination-variant persimmons must be pollinated in order to be eaten when crisp. Otherwise, they will taste sour, or astringent, and must be left to soften completely (to the consistency of jelly) in order to obtain a pleasingly sweet taste.

"Gailey" is a highly attractive persimmon tree and is often planted for its ornamental value as much as its fruit, as the tree bears a profusion of flowers and has colorful red and orange leaves in the fall. This variety is also often planted for cross-pollination purposes. The persimmons are muted red with a pebbled texture to the skin, and are smaller than non-astringent persimmons.

"Maru" bears rounded, small or medium-sized persimmons with brilliantly reddish-orange skin. The fruit is considered excellent to taste, juicy and sweet. In addition, these persimmons store and ship well, and the trees themselves are hardy and prolific producers.