Honan Red Persimmon

Chinese astringent variety (Diospyros kaki), thought to originate in Honan province China. Heavy producing tree reaching 12-16 feet tall. Self-fertile.

Small to medium deep red to dark orange-red acorn-shaped fruit. Rich sweet flavor, smooth fiber-free texture, very sweet. Few if any seeds (produces very few). Astringent until fully ripe, no puckering when fully ripe except core retains slight astringency. Ripens mid-early season, October.

Introduced to United States 1917 by Dr. Nathanael Fedde. Cuttings of 52 Chinese varieties from Honan, Shensi and Shansi provinces brought into US 1914. Remains specialty variety grown by specialty growers and home gardeners.