Friday, October 18, 2013

"seen" American Persimmons


If it be not ripe, it will draw a man's mouth awry, with much torment,
but when it is ripe, it is as delicious as an apricot.
Captain John Smith
General History of Virginia 1624

Bitter or Sweet
Walking along Turtle Creek on one of the back trails in the Park, the fruit of the persimmon tree began to catch my eye.

Waiting On a Freeze
Although some appear to be ripe, they deceive. The berries are still hard and full of tannin! As my dear old Daddy says; "they will sharpen your teeth if you take a bite." A hard autumn freeze is needed to ripen the fruit to heavenly sweetness!


Bark Like an Alligator
The old trees develop a bark that reminds me of an alligator hide. Tough as nails with a distinctive pattern.

Possumwood
Have heard some of the real old timers over the years refer to the tree as possumwood. Sounds good to me! The only thing that I can imagine making it to the top fruit would be the birds, raccoons, and the marsupial 'opossum.'
   
Sweet Jam in the Making
Patience is the key word while waiting on the berry to ripen. Picked when mushy or pudding like assures the most sweetest pulp one ever tasted! Made into jam like 'Mother used to make', is a special treat at the breakfast table. Makes everyday seem like Sunday!
 
 
"SEENS"
twelve

8 comments:

  1. i have only tried one once after a texan friend showed me what they were. i did not like the 'fleshy' consistency - but i also don't like tomatoes for that reason and even ripe peaches with their furry skin. :)

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  2. might as well throw plums in there, too. yuck!

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  3. What I didn't know about persimmons, I just learned from your blog. Great quote to introduce your remarks. I certainly would not mind tasting the ripe fruit, especially if it's in a jam jar. Enjoyed the photos, too.

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  4. We picked persimmon one TX visit and made jam. What a delicious treat. I never saw one before that. Thanks for the education of them.
    Life is Sweet

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  5. Never heard about this type of fruit tree before. Informative information and perfect pictures to go with! I'll have to keep my eyes open for Persimmon jam now.

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  6. Definitely want to wait until they're ripe! LOL This is a great series of photos and info. I haven't had persimmons for years.

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  7. Never tired the fruit. Just know that deer love wild ones. Very informative and nicely presented with your photos.

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  8. Nice shots Parker. They remind me of my grandmothers house.

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