North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Jwlehman@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/6/2009 3:07:54 PM Eastern Standard Time, aleguy33@yahoo.com writes:

> I'm given to understand that the ones up north don't become edible until after a frost.                
 

Well, that is an old wives tale, but some truth in it. 

The American persimmon doesn't need frost to ripen. Many early trees often drop their entire crop, completely ripened, before any frost. But late varieties may ripen after frost, but again not because of the frost, just long season variety. It was a common belief that frost was needed, but they were simply late ripening. If you freeze slightly astringent pulp it doesn't lose the astringency. It hangs on and on.

Jerry



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