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Diospyros kaki - Thunb.

Persimmon

Author	Thunb.	Botanical references	11, 74, 200
Family	Ebenaceae	Genus	Diospyros
Synonyms	Diospyros chinensis - Blume.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat	Not known in a truly wild situation, it is found in broad leafed woodland but probably as an escape from cultivation[74, 200].
Edibility Rating	4 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	3 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

A decidious Tree growing to 12m by 7m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Secondary; Sunny Edge;

Cultivars: (as above except)
'Great Wall'
'Saijo'

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit.

Edible Uses: Coffee; Condiment; Sweetener.

Fruit - raw or cooked[1, 2, 3, 7, 46, 61]. The fruit has an exquisitely rich flavour when it is very soft and fully ripe (almost at the point of going bad), but the fruit of many cultivars is very harsh and astringent before then[K]. In Britain, the fruit needs to be harvested whilst it is still very hard. This is done very late in the season (in December or even January if possible), it is then stored in a cool but frost-free place until very soft and fully ripe[K]. The fruit can also be used in pies, cakes, bread, desserts etc[183]. It contains 25% sugars[74]. A fuller nutritional analysis is available[218]. The fruit can also be dried for later use[183]. The fruit is about 7.5cm in diameter[200]. The peel of the fruit can be powdered and used as a sweetener[183]. The leaves are used to improve the flavour of pickled radishes[183]. The roasted seeds are a coffee substitute[183, 240].

Composition

Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.

Fruit (Dry weight)

• 350 Calories per 100g
• Water: 0%
• Protein: 3.6g; Fat: 1.5g; Carbohydrate: 91g; Fibre: 7.7g; Ash: 4g;
• Minerals - Calcium: 80mg; Phosphorus: 100mg; Iron: 8mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 20mg; Potassium: 950mg; Zinc: 0mg;
• Vitamins - A: 5600mg; Thiamine (B1): 0.2mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0.15mg; Niacin: 0.9mg; B6: 0mg; C: 75mg;
• Reference: [218]
• Notes: 

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Anthelmintic; Antitussive; Antivinous; Appetizer; Astringent; Demulcent; Expectorant; Febrifuge; Hypotensive; Laxative; Sialagogue; Stomachic; Styptic.

Appetizer, sialagogue[116, 176, 178]. The stem bark is astringent and styptic[218]. The fruit is said to have different properties depending on its stage of ripeness, though it is generally antitussive, astringent, laxative, nutritive and stomachic[218, 238]. The fresh fully ripe fruit is used raw in the treatment of constipation and haemorrhoids[238] and when cooked is used to treat diarrhoea[238].. The dried ripe fruit is used in the treatment of bronchial complaints[238], whilst when ground into a powder it is used to treat dry coughs[238]. Juice from the unripe fruit is used in the treatment of hypertension[218, 238]. The fruits, picked green and ripened in containers with the leaves, become very sweet and are considered to be antifebrile, antivinous and demulcent[218]. The fruits are also peeled and then exposed to sunlight by day and dew by night. They become encrusted with a white powder and are then considered to be anthelmintic, antihaemorrhagic, antivinous, expectorant, febrifuge and restorative[218]. The peduncle is used to treat coughs and hiccups[218]. The calyx is used to treat hiccups[176].

Other Uses

Cosmetic; Wood.

The pulp of unripe fruits is used in cosmetics to make face-packs because of its firming qualities[7]. Wood - hard and durable with a beautiful grain. Used for making fine furniture[266].

Cultivation details

Prefers a good deep loamy soil in sun or light shade but succeeds in most soils[11, 132, 200]. Dislikes very acid or wet and poorly drained soils[200]. Requires a sheltered position[200]. Dormant plants are quite hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -14°c[74], but they require warmer summers than are normally experienced in Britain in order to ripen their fruit and wood[3]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. A warm sunny wall improves the chance of producing ripe fruit[3] and trees fruit freely when grown under glass[1]. Fruits are frequently produced outdoors at Kew[11, K]. A tree seen in a open position with afternoon shade at Kew in November 1993 (after a cool summer) had about 200 almost ripe fruits around 8cm in diameter[K]. The same tree, after a fairly warm summer in 1996, had a large quantity of fruit just about ready for harvesting in the middle of December[K]. Trees produce a long taproot and should be planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible[200]. The young trees require some winter protection for their first winter or two[K]. The persimmon is widely cultivated for its edible fruit in warm temperate areas of the world, especially in Japan and China, there are many named varieties[183]. Some cultivars, such as 'Fuyu', lack the usual astringency and can be eaten whilst still firm, though they develop a richer flavour if allowed to become soft[183, 200]. These non-astringent forms require a warmer climate and do not ripen in cooler areas[183]. The astringent cultivars are somewhat hardier and ripen well in cooler climates than the non-astringent forms[183]. The fruit colours better and is sweeter in warmer areas but in hot conditions has a poor texture and deep black spots develop[183]. If allowed to become very ripe (almost to the point of going rotten), they develop a better flavour than non-astringent forms[183]. Dioecious, but the female tree can produce seedless fruits in the absence of a pollinator. However, unfertilized fruit tends to be smaller and more astringent[200]. This astringency is due to the high content of tannin but once the fruit is fully ripe it loses this astringency and becomes sweet[132]. If fertilized fruit is required, then growing one male for every 8 - 10 females is usually adequate[238].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[113, 200]. Stored seed requires a period of cold-stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible[78]. It usually germinates in 1 - 6 months at 15°c[175]. Pot up the young seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle into fairly deep pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Give them some protection from winter cold for their first year or two outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[200]. Layering in spring[200].

Cultivars

'Great Wall'

The small to medium size fruit is up to 6cm in diameter, the flesh is dry and very sweet, but astringent if not fully ripe[183]. The fruit ripens in mid-Autumn[183]. A relatively slow-growing, upright tree, it is very cold hardy and bears heavy crops every second year[183]. It is recommended for colder areas, though it also does well in Florida[183].

'Saijo'

A small, elongated fruit, astringent when not fully ripe, but becomes sweet with an excellent flavour if allowed to ripen fully[183]. The fruits are usually seedless and store well[183]. The dried fruit is very attractive[183]. A medium-size tree, it bears consistently and tolerates temperatures down to at least -23°c[183].

Links

This plant is also mentioned in the following PFAF articles: Alternative fruits, The Woodland Edge Garden.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.

[3] Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7
A very readable book with information on about 100 species that can be grown in Britain (some in greenhouses) and details on how to grow and use them.

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[74] Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.

[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[113] Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987 ISBN 0942375009
A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.

[116] Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986
A small booklet packed with information.

[132] Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. 0
Lovely pictures, a very readable book.

[175] Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Corydalis spp.

[176] Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985
An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.

[178] Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 0
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Diospyros kaki

Tue Oct 26 09:37:10 2004

Link: Oral administration of persimmon leaf extract ameliorates skin symptoms and transepidermal water loss in atopic dermatitis model mice, NC/Nga M Matsumoto, M Kotani, A Fujita, S Higa, T Kishimoto, M Suemura, T Tanaka

Diospyros kaki

david n Mon Nov 20 2006

Persimmon needs a lot of manure according to Glowinski in the Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia (great book) the amount of manure is about 300 g per tree per year of age up to ten years then about 3 kg annually Perhaps that explains why my first try only has tiny leaves on it in November (in Wellington New Zealand)perhaps they will grow yet. He says apply late winter and early summer, about 300 g per tree per year of age up to ten years then about 3 kg annually (I know you're thinking it's not growing because it's in Wellington, I've seen one laden with fruit a few miles away). Any experience about this? little leaves, manure.

Diospyros kaki

david n Mon Nov 20 2006

Persimmon needs a lot of manure according to Glowinski in the Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia (great book) Perhaps that explains why my first try only has tiny leaves on it in November (in Wellington New Zealand)perhaps they will grow yet. He says apply late winter and early summer, about 300 g per tree per year of age up to ten years then about 3 kg annually (I know you're thinking it's not growing because it's in Wellington, I've seen one laden with fruit a few miles away). Any experience about this? little leaves, manure.

Diospyros kaki

Henrik Bjerreso Fri Nov 24 2006

I wonder how you eat this fruit correctly. I eat them including the skin, but maybe this is like eating an orange or banana with its skin (which, of course, I would never do). I found one comment on the net warning against the skin because of its content of tannin. On the other hand - if you are not supposed to eat the skin, and the fruit is most delicious when almost over-ripe, do you then scoop the content with a spoon or what? Only when still rather hard, it is possible to peel the fruit like, say, an apple. I am looking forward to some comments on this from other users around the world. Henrik, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Diospyros kaki

Ken Fern, Plants for a Future. Sun Nov 26 2006

The only way of eating and thoroughly enjoying this fruit is to wait until it is so soft it is almost falling apart before eating it, skin and all. At that time, tannin content is at its lowest. There has been very little research into the effects of tannins upon the human diet, though it is known that, when consumed in quantity, they can reduce absorption of minerals. Tannins can be found in many foods, including red grapes (and red wine), beans, many nuts especially walnuts, plus in herb teas, chocolate and China tea. In small quantities they have several beneficial medicinal actions, especially in the treatment of bleeding, dysentery and diarrhoea. You would have to eat an awful lot of fully ripe persimmons to get anywhere near a potentially harmful does of tannins - far more than the average stomach could accomodate. All in all, persimmons are a healthy and extremely tasty addition to the diet.

Diospyros kaki

Mela Wed Sep 26 2007

I guess This Fruit is not ordinary, sometimes I feel this fruit just like Human; We can't see or guess what inside just by look it's performance.I am so interested to know experience or research about what including in this fruit.

Diospyros kaki

paola Fri Nov 9 2007

Hi, these fruits are very common in Italy. We do not eat the skin, but scoop out the internal part with a spoon. Then you end up licking the inside of the skins anyway. Yes, it is as messy as it is delicious!

eat-drink-man-woman food!

Diospyros kaki

Joseph (usually called Joe) Lia Fri Nov 20 2009

I think all kaki are delicious if riped or almost riped. But somtimes I experience some kaki with an unmatched taste. These once are usually with parts of the fruit sour (but with a nice type of sour taste and parts of the fruit being superb sweet. Can anyone tell me how I can manage to have such a tree with this type of fruit?? I am ready to give payment for this. I live in Malta (middle of the Meditteranean) and such type of tree is surly grown or was grown here. But most kaka trees here are now impoted from Italy, Spain etc. and I am sure that although their fruits are delivious they are of inferious tastes to the type of fruit I am speaking about. Can anyone please help by advice or offer me such a tree...??? Also I think (from a once experience) that eating a considerable large ammount of Kaka at any one time can lower drastically blood pressure to a dangerious level even although you may be accustomed to a considerable high blood pressure. I am not a doctor or a scientist but I beleive I have a good once experience making beleive that it is so... my e mail is liamosta@gmail.com

Diospyros kaki

Joseph (usually called Joe) Lia Fri Nov 20 2009

I think all riped Kaki re delicious. But a few years ago I occasionally experience Kaki with unmatched quality tastes. These fruits are usually with part/s of sour good taste and part/s of the (same) fruit of superb sweet taste.Can anyone please help me with advice or offer (a tree)for such a tree. I am ready to pay for such an advice or buy the tree. I live in Malta in the middle of the Meditteranean. But most kaki fruits are imported and most kaki trees are also imported. Although the fruit is delicious it has inferiour quality to the kaki fruit I an refering about. You may contact me on liamosta@gmail.com Moreover I have reasons to beleive that eating an occasioanl good/much quantity of Kaki fruits can greatly lower blood pressure to a dangerious level... I am not a doctor or scientist but I think I have experienced this without doubt.... Morover I am well told that the first Kaki tree was first sown in Malta in 1942 when an English squadron leader brought this fruit from UK in the worst part of the war in Malta....

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