Best Way To Store Persimmons

So you've come home with a bag of persimmons, those gorgeous orange globes that look like they wandered out of a Japanese painting. You're excited, maybe even a little cocky. Then you realize you have absolutely no idea what to do with them next.

First, Know Your Frenemy That Is the Persimmon

Not all persimmons are created equal, and the ones that sting your mouth like a batch of angry cotton candy are the ones you need to understand first. Astringent persimmons like the Hachiya are great for your health, terrible for patience, and downright hostile if you bite one too early. On the flip side, Fuyu persimmons are the chill ones — round, flat-bottomed, and ready to eat straight off the counter.

Here's a fun little surprise: persimmons contain up to 32% more antioxidants than apples. That's right, these babies are sneaking extra health into your snack bag while the apple industry watches from the sidelines. Your taste buds and your body, at least, should be delighted either way.

The Counter Is Your Fruity Playground

If you've got ripe persimmons — and by ripe we mean golden, soft, and begging to be eaten — the counter at room temperature is where the magic stays. They'll hang out happily for about three to five days, slowly becoming even more delicious like a fine wine… if fine wine tasted like sunshine and had stems.

Check on them daily and pluck one off when it feels like a ripe, ol' philosophical conversation. Leave them rounded on their bottoms and they won't roll away like tiny, optimistic orange escape artists. You don't need much drama here, your kitchen counter is basically VIP storage.

How to Store Persimmons - The Kitchen Community

The Fridge Is Persimmon Jail

Get you rid of your astringent persimmons in the refrigerator and they will remain contained and tasteful for up to a single month. If you're nestled in the trouble-free Fuyu club, those little fellows will maintain their dignity for up to three solid weeks on the cold shelf. Side note: citrus is a notorious ripening-buddy — keep them together and you've created a fruity social club where your fruit will ripen faster than your night plans do. But don't worry if this happens, immediate cooking works fine.

Score Brilliant Points By Freezing Them

If you don't have time to manage a temptation fruit, and have too much stock on your hands, simply place your persimmons in the freezer. If you slice them into hummingbird sheets and keep them in an airtight container, you will have saved them for ten delicious months worth of goodness. Thaw them out at a later date for delectable smoothies, baked goods, or silk spreads, you'll look like a certain magician who said he never leaves the neighborhood.

How To Store Persimmons Long Term | Storables

Unripe Persimmon, the One That Needs A Hearty Journey

That rock-hard persimmon that resembles a mini basketball? Give it some room and time for happiness. You might try placing it in a paper bag with a banana or apple to give it a jumpstart, or grill it gently until it turns soft. Only then does that once-astringent one reveal their secret flavors.

Managing persimmons doesn't need to be a full-blown saga — you just need to understand them like you would a moody but adorable pet. In essence, eat, chill, or put them on ice, and allow these gorgeous fruits to make you smile even brighter.