Persimmons should be included in your diet if you are deficient in vitamins. Persimmons are a fruit that is high in fiber, and they resemble a bright orange tomato in appearance. Because this fruit is rare and has a fleeting season, most people are unaware of its benefits. Persimmons have a distinct flavor that combines a variety of ingredients. They give your mouth a slimy and slick sensation. They have a tangy, sweet, and lemony flavor. Persimmons’ delicate feel indicates that they spoil quickly. To get the most out of the fruit, store it appropriately. Their shelf life is entirely dependent on how they are stored. To know how to tell if persimmon is bad, read further.
Persimmons can become rotten due to their flesh’s high moisture and sugar content like any other fruit.
Persimmons that are left at temperatures higher than average may rot soon. The heat will cause the fruit to ripen prematurely, resulting in spoilage. Persimmons left in the refrigerator can also go wrong, and the cooler temperature will only slow down the ripening process rather than entirely stop it. As a result, if they are left in the fridge for a lengthy period, they will ripen and deteriorate.
What is Exactly Persimmon?
The persimmon is the edible fruit of various trees in the Diospyros genus. The Oriental persimmon, Diospyros kaki, is the most generally cultivated and is one of the most widely produced fruit trees. Diospyros belongs to the Ebenaceae family, and certain non-persimmon members of the genus are used to make ebony wood. The persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) is a member of the Ebanaceae family commonly consumed in Asia but recently introduced to the United States. Since then, persimmon production and consumption have constantly increased, attracting significant research attention. As a result, persimmon has demonstrated several intriguing characteristics that could make it a highly desirable addition to any diet.
On the one hand, the antioxidant activity of persimmon is higher than that of most traditionally consumed fruits in Western countries. It also has a high amount of phenolics and other phytochemicals. In clinical trials, persimmon has shown potential advantages in obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
How to Tell if Persimmon is Bad?
There are a few telltale indicators when persimmons have gone wrong. The looks, smell, and taste of it are all things to look for.
Appearance
When a persimmon fruit ripens, it develops wrinkled skin. This is caused to soft patches in the flesh, which cause the skin to retract. This does not necessarily indicate that the fruit is wrong and should be rejected. On the other hand, if the entire fruit appears to have soft areas all over, it has passed its prime and should be discarded.
Blemishes and mold forming on the fruit are also things to check for. It’s OK with a few black spots here and there. If there are dark patches on the fruit with mold growing on them, the meat is terrible, and it’s best to discard the entire fruit.
Smell
Persimmons with a poor odor will have a harsh odor, and persimmons have a delicious scent when they are fresh. If it doesn’t smell sweet, you should throw it away.
Taste
When persimmons are fully ripe, they have a sweet, mild, and rich flavor. On the other hand, Rotten persimmons will have a bitter and sour flavor, and it’s advisable to toss the fruit if it tastes like that.
How Long do Persimmons Last?
Persimmons can be last for:
- Ripe persimmons will keep for about two days at room temperature. However, the temperature will significantly impact how long they can last. The hotter it gets, the quicker they rot. However, the colder the weather, the longer they will last.
- The fruit of unripe persimmons should last for about a week. It will take 2-4 days for them to ripen, and then you will have a few more days before they go bad.
- Ripe persimmons will last around five days in the fridge if stored correctly. Fruit should always be stored in a plastic bag or an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you store them in the fridge with other fruits like apples and bananas, the persimmons will rot before they’re ready.
- Unripe persimmons have a one-month shelf life if kept in the refrigerator. To keep the fruit fresh for as long as possible, place it in a sealed plastic bag or an airtight container. The less exposed the fruit is to air, the longer it will last.
Persimmon fruits should be kept in the freezer for long-term storage. Persimmons can be stored whole or split for up to 6 months. Expect the persimmons to last for approximately a year if you make a puree out of them.
How to Store Persimmons
Ripe persimmons should be stored in a basket or the pantry at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Only keep them at room temperature if you plan to consume or use them within a few days. Otherwise, to extend their shelf life, place them in the refrigerator.
You can put unripe persimmons in a basket and let them ripen naturally. It will take 3 to 4 days for them to ripen. If you want them to ripen faster, place them in a brown paper bag alongside an apple or banana. The persimmons will benefit from these fruits when they ripen.
Cut or peeled persimmons should be placed in a bowl and covered with a cling wrapper. The wrapper will keep the food from being exposed to the air. It’s best to consume or use the fruit within a few hours. If you don’t, they’ll spoil, and you’ll have to toss them away.
Ripe persimmons can be chopped, peeled, or stored as whole fruit in the refrigerator. Please make sure they’re in an airtight container or a plastic bag when you put them in the fridge.
Avoid washing persimmon fruit before storing it whole. Washing them will hasten the ripening process. Place the unwashed fruit in a resalable plastic bag and seal it. Alternatively, please place them in the crisper part of the refrigerator. Please don’t mix it with other ethylene-producing fruits like apples, bananas, or other citrus fruits. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait too long for the persimmons to ripen.
It’s the same technique for storing unripe persimmons in the fridge for ripe ones. They can be kept in a plastic bag or the crisper portion of the refrigerator.
Can you Freeze Persimmons?
If you want to keep persimmons for a long time, you can freeze them. They freeze well as whole fruit, cut fruit, or purée. Persimmons, both whole and sliced, will keep for six months, and Persimmon purée will keep for at least a year in the refrigerator. As a result of freezer burn, the food quality gradually deteriorates.
Before freezing persimmons, they should be ripe. Unripe persimmons can be frozen without trouble; however, the problem arises when the fruit thaws. The fruit will no longer be able to mature once it thaws. As a result, you’ll get a bitter-tasting fruit.
When freezing whole persimmon fruits, freeze them separately first and then cover them in a cling wrapper. This will keep the fruit from getting freezer burnt. When the fruit is exposed to the air, its quality deteriorates.
The best approach to freezing sliced persimmons is to utilize the flash-freezing method first. When the fruit freezes, this will keep it from sticking together. Transfer them to an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag as soon as they’re frozen. If you leave them out for too long, the fruit will melt. When you re-freeze them, they will become liquid and adhere to one other.
Conclusion
Bad persimmon’s appearance and texture indicate that it is rotten and unfit to eat. Because it is a citrus fruit, eating it if it is rotten and mushy is not suggested, and it may make you feel nauseous. Fresh persimmons have a short shelf life due to their high water content and sweet flavor. The unripe persimmon will keep in the pantry for two days after ripening. On the other hand, Unripe persimmon will keep for a month in the refrigerator.
You can also keep the persimmon puree in the freezer. The puree can be used in various dishes, including tarts and jams. As a result, you can purée the fruit and store it in an airtight container or bag even during the offseason.
