Persimmon comes from the same species as tomatoes. They are originally from China but are now eaten all over the world. The taste of persimmon is supposed to be sweet and has no tanginess. It is very soft, glossy, and juicy. The fragrance isn’t that strong but it adds an aroma. The flesh is jelly-like. The color is solid orange with no green or yellow in it. It almost looks like a tomato but orange. But the taste is nowhere near tomato. Now that we are done describing persimmon, let’s learn about the substitutes of persimmon
Persimmons Hachiya
Permisson hachiya is a variety of persimmon. It is native to China where people have been eating it for centuries. Then it spread to other East Asian countries like Korea and Japan. And then it gradually became a common fruit in the US, Europe, and so on. The fruit has a skin and underneath that, the flesh is dense, sweet, and firm exactly like persimmon.
The size of hachiya persimmon is about 7-10 inches, which is a bit bigger than persimmon. The shape is also similar- oval and elongated. This curved fruit looks similar to acorns too. The exterior is just as smooth, glossy, and thin. Once it ripens the skin develops black spots as the color changes from yellow to red-orange. Whereas for persimmon the skin is more orange than yellow. The taste of the fruit gets better as it ages.
When it is unripe it contains tannin and has an astringent flavor. But once ripe, the taste becomes sweet and the flesh gets softer. The tannin breaks down and produced a gelatinous texture. The taste is almost like honey with the subtle flavor of brown sugar, mango, and cinnamon.
So you can tell that the taste is also very similar to persimmon. It is also a great source of vitamin C that boosts the immune system. It has a high level of fiber that improves the digestive system. It also has calcium, vitamin A, and a low level of iron.
Fuyus
Fuyus, which is also called persimmon is a substitute for both persimmon and hachiya substitute of it. Fuyus is not as astringent when it's raw and can be eaten anytime. But when it ripes, it has the cinnamon and brown sugar flavor that we described. It is not as bitter either as hachiya persimmon is. The fruit is soft and looks more like an apple. In fact, it is called “apples of the orient”.
Just like persimmons, this also originated in Asia but is now available throughout the world. The texture is crisp which is unusual for a fruit that looks like this. But it looks very appealing that improves the look of your dish when you use this fruit. It can be an amazing alternative for those who don’t like the astringent flavor of raw hachiya.
One tip for choosing and storing fuyus is that you need to look for soft ones that have no blemishes. You can store them in the refrigerator as well.
Sharon Fruit
Unlike other persimmons, sharon is native to Israel. The color is much like actual persimmon- red and orange. The shape is round instead of oval with a stem on the top. The skin is very smooth and free from spots if you can buy the right one. Now comes the taste. The taste of sharon fruit resembles cinnamon, honey, and a subtle flavor of almond.
The texture is very firm and soft that you can use it with soup, stews, and of course bakery items. This fruit can even be eaten as dried. The fruit contains vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants. It can protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. You can use this beautiful fruit for the salad, or soup to improve the look of the dish as well as use it as an alternative to persimmons.
Medlar
This one is native to Europe and Asia but is now widespread all over the world. Medlar is known for its unique taste and texture. It has a rough and brown skin that doesn’t match with most of the alternative fruits here/ When it becomes ripe the flesh gets softer and mushy. The taste of medlar is a combination of both apple and plum. It is a bit grainy and dull. Some people like to call the flavor similar to that of brandy or spiced cider.
The high fiber present in medlar helps with the digestive system, It can be eaten as a remedy for constipation. It is also rich in polyphenols that can prevent chronic diseases as we mentioned earlier. The vitamin C present in this fruit helps people get healthier and shinier skin. However, the sugar present in medlar might not be good for everyone. Did you know that you can have persimmon tea now? Sounds exciting, right? Get 36 bags of persimmon tea here!
Sapote Noir
The taste of the fruit is just as fancy as the name is. But first, let's talk about the name. The word noir means black. So it is also known as black sapote. It is a tropical fruit with great taste and health benefits. The skin is hard and shiny black which gives it its name. When it ripens the flesh gets soft and custardy. A lot of people like to compare the taste to chocolate pudding. And some like to compare the flavor to banana and mango.
The texture can also be similar to avocado. Easily squishable and firm. The flavor is rich and sweet. It can also be a bit creamy. It has a subtle hint of caramel and molasses. The flavor also has a hint of pumpkin and chocolate. The unique taste makes it popular in smoothies and bakery items. In fact, it can be a vegan and amazing substitute for chocolate in baking. It can also add sweetness to your dish without adding any sugar at all.
The taste of this fruit is enjoyed by those who like rich and creamy flavors. As an alternative, it is also very healthy. It has antioxidants and vitamin C. These can provide a better digestive system and immune system in your bodies as we mentioned earlier.
Sapodilla
This one is a tropical fruit with a sweet and caramel flavor. It is sweeter than other substitutes and tastes almost like brown sugar. The texture is soft, firm, and grainy. The grainy part is different from persimmons. It is also known as chikoo. The flesh is brown with small black seeds. Whereas persimmons have bigger seeds and the flesh is orange.
Sapodilla comes with a lot of health benefits. It has tons of fiber that can improve healthy digestion and make you feel full pretty quickly. You can rely on it for weight loss as well. It also has vitamin C and antioxidants. It is rich in particularly polyphenols that help protect cells and reduce the risk of chronic heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. It is also used as a natural remedy for constipation. But since sapodilla is high in sugar, people with diabetes should avoid it.
Quince
Quince comes from Southwest Asia. It has a fragrance that makes it appealing to most people. The texture of this fruit is firm. But it can be gritty and difficult to chew sometimes, especially when it's raw. Therefore, many people prefer cooking it. Then comes the interesting part. The fruit becomes soft and the color becomes pink when cooked.
The flavor gets complex- a combination of apple, citrus, and pear. As cooking is the better option, many people roast it, bake it, or poach it. It is also used in pies, tarts, and cakes. Also in jellies, jams, and sauces. The flesh gets tender and moist as cooked. It is then mashed or pureed. The aroma of this fruit is floral. It has a fragrance that gives your dish a hint of many sweet fruits and flavors. The skin is yellow-green which makes it distinguishable.
The health benefits of quince are absolutely amazing. According to a medical study, it is packed with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that make it very beneficial to eat.
Orange Peach Tomatoes
Find anything unusual? You are right. We are talking about a vegetable that looks like persimmon! Orange peach tomato is one type of heirloom tomato that taste and looks like persimmon. It has a deep orange and fuzzy skin that resembles a peach.
The flesh is firm and meaty along with juicy and tender. It can also be a bit chewy but nothing like quince. You can compare the texture to that of a tomato. The tenderness makes it a great choice for a salad, burger, or a substitute for tomato and persimmon together. It adds a refreshing juicy flavor to your food that changes the entire palette.
The taste is the best thing about this vegetable disguised as a fruit. It has a balance between sweetness and tanginess with a hint of acidity. That reminds you of pink-sweetened lemonade. It also has high sugar in it which makes it a bit unhealthy but very delicious to taste. People use it in sauce, salad, ad salsas for the taste.
Pineapple
Who doesn’t love pineapples, right? On top of a pizza or as a smoothie, pineapple is a popular choice all over the world. This famous tropical fruit has a texture and tastes similar to those of a persimmon. It has a taste that is sweet and tangy. The fruit is very citrus as well which means it provides a great source of vitamin C.
As it ripens the taste becomes sweeter as opposed to being unripe when it's tangy. The texture is crunchy and firm. It will be a mouthful of crunchy sweet flavor. The flesh of the fruit is so juicy that it is used in smoothies. The aroma of pineapple is unparalleled.
It is floral and sweet, and a distinct fragrance makes the dish better. Along with vitamin C, it has bromelain that helps reduce inflammation in the body. It also has thiamin, B6, potassium, and copper.
Apricots
Apricots aren’t all that uncommon as the ones we mentioned earlier. It is a small fruit with a fuzzy exterior. The texture is firm but a bit crunchy. It gets softer when it becomes ripe. It is also velvety and succulent. The taste is a combination of sweetness and tanginess.
It also has a slightly musky taste. The fruit gets sweeter as it ripens. Whereas the tanginess remains when it is unripe. The flavor is also described as earthy and floral with a hint of almonds. Moorpark apricots tend to have more musky hints. This popular fruit can be baked and cooked as well.
Pears
Pears are known for their texture and taste. The flavor is sweet and tangy but also has a subtle hint of vanilla and honey. Different types of pears can have different ranges of sweetness. Bartlett pear is very sweet whereas Bosc has a more cinnamon and nutmeg taste. Pears have a juicy and soft texture. But it is very grainy. The reason is there are small crystals of calcium as it ripens.
That's why some people like to blend them. Ripe pears have a smooth and creamy texture like avocado. But that also means the graininess can be good for health. The fragrance of pears is floral and fruity like apples. Pears are known for their contribution to baking and roasting. It is a delicious fruit with so many benefits. It has vitamin K, copper, fiber, potassium, etc.
Conclusion
Persimmon along with its substitutes are very rich in flavor and benefits they provide. Even if not for the taste, people should consider consuming these fruits and vegetables in their diet for the benefits. Almost all bring some sort of mineral and vitamin to the dishes. You can watch this video to learn more about persimmon and how it tastes
Knowing more about the fruit itself will give you a better idea about the substitutes too.
