Vaniglia Persimmon

Vaniglia (Vanilla) is an old Italian persimmon variety from Campania, particularly cultivated in the provinces of Salerno, Napoli, and Caserta. It's a pollination-variant, non-astringent ecotype with good cold resistance. Trees produce medium yields and are self-fertile.

Medium spherical fruits with slightly flattened tops, thin yellow-orange skin (turning red when overripe), and firm crisp flesh with distinctive muscat-vanilla fragrance and sweet flavor. When pollinated, flesh is dark bronze/brown with seeds and becomes mildly astringent; unpollinated fruits are seedless and non-astringent. Ripens October through December. When ripe, characteristic "ragnatura" (spider web-like markings) may appear on skin, which is a sign of quality.

This is an ancient traditional variety from Campania region of southern Italy, established in early 20th century. Now part of Italy's 55,000 tons annual persimmon production, valued for its unique vanilla flavor and ability to be eaten firm.