Persimmons: Delicious Treats With a Potentially Fuzzy Mouth Texture

Updated on December 16, 2019
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I've been an online writer for over eight years. My articles often focus on cooking.

Find out what you can make using this delicious fruit.
Find out what you can make using this delicious fruit. | Source

Persimmons Taste Great

But sometimes they have a strange texture! The persimmon is a delicious fruit, popular among chefs for many uses, including relishes, jams, and desserts. They're even delicious right off the tree. But when they aren't completely ripe, persimmons are famous for having a fuzzy mouthfeel. The strange feeling you get in your mouth from persimmons that aren't ripe is due to tannins. The healthy tannins are actually a natural anti-oxidant; so this is a good sign that persimmons are a great fruit to eat for your health!

Hachiya Persimmons
Hachiya Persimmons

But Seriously, What About the Fuzz Mouth?

The fuzzy mouthfeel is a concern to consumers of fresh fruit. It can be difficult to tell when a persimmon is ripe enough to eat. Well, if the delicious persimmon leaves you puckering and scraping tannin at the side of your mouth, then there are a couple things you can do.

  1. Purchase Fuyu persimmons, not Hachiya.
  2. Cook your fruit to nullify the tannins.

Persimmons that have a lot of tannins are actually a health risk. They could form a bezoar in your stomach, clumping and clogging up. The tannin reacts to acid, and the acid in your mouth causes it to get fuzzy and clump. In your stomach, the unripened persimmon could form a bezoar. Horses, in particular, need to be watched if they are near a persimmon tree. Horses love this fruit, but the bezoar-forming tannins really love horse stomachs! Don't let your horse near a persimmon tree.

Bezoars sound scary, but I've been eating persimmons for nearly forty years, and I've never experienced one or witnessed anyone with a bezoar. Don't worry! Just be sure to eat persimmons that are completely ripe. Also, for most people, the Fuyu persimmon is the one to buy. It has the lowest tannins, and is less-likely to cause that weird feeling in your mouth.

I don't trust those fruits!
I don't trust those fruits!
Fuyu Persimmons have a lighter color and rounder shape!
Fuyu Persimmons have a lighter color and rounder shape! | Source

Fuyu Versus Hachiya

The two major kinds of persimmon available in stores are the dark, purplish Hachiya, and the sunny, orange Fuyu. Hachiyas have the best flavor, hands down, but they are also a very high risk for fuzzy mouth feel.

Hachiyas mean mouth fuzz. If you buy Hachiyas put them in a paper bag and let them ripen fully. Make sure they are soft to the touch, and smell strong before eating them raw. It's better to cook with Hachiyas. Jam and jelly-makers love persimmons. The strong natural tannins make for some delicious jellies. Hachiyas are an excellent choice for jellying. Consider adding another uncommon, delicious fruit, the quince, and making a delicious persimmon-quince Jelly, full of complex flavors between pear and apple and melon-y goodness.

Fuyu are the best persimmons for general consumption and families with children. The Fuyu is the more forgiving of the two, as it will still taste good if it is not fully ripe. The bright orange skin is often easily "read" as ripe, too. Like a banana, it will start to develop tiny, little brown spots that let you know your fruit is ready to be eaten. When in doubt, go with Fuyu. If you are concerned about bezoars, as well, this is the breed of persimmon for you.

Questions & Answers


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        2 years ago

        Thank you for this. The first time I had persimmons they were great. I just baked more and I had the weird mouth feel, I was like omg am I being poisoned to death? I wonder if I leave them alone and then microwave them tomorrow that might help.

      • Astralrose profile image

        Rham Dhel 

        4 years ago from India

        I love persimmons! My first persimmons look like bell pepper or capsicum. The size was similar to that of a medium to large capsicum but at that time, I didn't know the name nor how to eat it. It was sappy since they were not ripe enough. Then my husband found out the name. The next year, we bought loads of them and some were naturally ripen at home. And really, they taste so good -mouthwatering! I have tried three shapes.

      • CenterAll72 profile image


        7 years ago from New York

        I have recently fell in love with persimmons. They are very different from most other fruits but that's why I like them so much.

        I like them best when they become jelly consistency.


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