The American persimmon is a tree commonly found in North and Central Florida. You can also find it growing wild in South Florida, but not as often. Predictably, this Florida native loves humidity and thrives in a wide range of soil types, including sand.
The American persimmon tree is a slow grower that can live to be more than 100 years old. It can also take more than 10 years for an American persimmon tree to bear fruit. This tree is not self-pollinating, so you’ll need at least 2 to get fruit.
There are several species of persimmon, and they are classified as astringent or non-astringent. American persimmon is the astringent type. This means it has a lot of tannins that dry out your mouth if you eat them before they’re fully ripe. When an American persimmon is ripe, though, it’s super sweet and tastes a little like caramel. An American persimmon that’s ready to eat is very soft (almost jelly-like) and bright orange. The fruit will also ripen in the refrigerator after harvest.
The Florida American persimmon season is from August to November. They can be eaten straight from the tree or be used in sauces, desserts, breads, and jams.
