September 21: Further notes on persimmons

In my post about persimmons a few days ago, I neglected to mention something very important. Wild persimmons are good to eat, but whatever you do, make SURE they are ripe before you bite in.

I am not messing around here, y'all. You bite into a persimmon that's not quite ripe, and that thing will DRAW UP YOUR FACE LIKE A MUMMY IN A HORROR FLICK. You will think your mouth has been instantly dessicated and filled with talcum powder.



I learned this lesson at age 11 or so, when a friend and I were walking through someone's cow pasture and came upon a persimmon tree. We both tasted the fruit; hers was ripe... mine was not. I was reminded of that experiential lesson today when I picked up a couple of persimmons from the walk next to the parking lot. The sun had been beating on them all day, and they were uncomfortably warm in my hand. I let them cool before giving them a good inspection. They seemed soft enough, and the skin was very thin, which is a good sign. Inside, the flesh was mushy and orange. I gave it a tiny taste: sweet. Very sweet, a little mealy. Just like it should be. Whew.


Wild persimmons nestled in silver mound