Almonds adds nutty richness and texture that gives persimmons more contrast and substance.
persimmons
+ Add to WorkbenchAbout this ingredient
An orange-red autumn fruit in two major types: Hachiya (astringent when unripe, must be fully soft before eating) and Fuyu (non-astringent, crisp and sweet eve…
63 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
The astringency in unripe Hachiya persimmons comes from soluble tannins (condensed tannins) that bind to salivary proteins, creating the characteristic mouth-drying, puckering sensation. As the fruit ripens and softens, the tannins polymerize into insoluble form and the astringency disappears — a ripe Hachiya is completely smooth and sweet. Artificially ripen (deactivate astringency) by sealing Hachiya in a bag with ethylene-producing fruit (apples, bananas) or by freezing and thawing. Fuyu persimmons are non-astringent at any ripeness stage and can be eaten crisp and firm — sliced into salads with arugula, pomegranate seeds, and goat cheese; or eaten out of hand. Ripe Hachiya flesh (the extremely soft, jelly-like pulp) is used in baking: persimmon pudding (a Midwest American tradition), persimmon bread, and cookies. Dried persimmons (hoshigaki, a Japanese preparation involving hand-massaging during drying) develop a powdery white bloom of crystallized natural glucose and an intense, jammy, almost caramel-like flavor that is one of the great winter confections.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Pairs well with
almonds
apples
avocados
bourbon
brandy
caramel
cashews
cheese
chile peppers, serrano
chocolate, white
cinnamon
cloves
coffee
cognac
cream and ice cream
custard
endive
frisée
ginger
grapes
hazelnuts
honey
kirsch
kiwi
kumquats
lemon, juice
lemon, zest
liqueurs
mace
maple syrup
nutmeg
oatmeal
oil, hazelnut
olive oil
orange
pears
pecans
pepper, black
pomegranates
pork
poultry
prosciutto
puddings
radicchio
raisins
rum
salads, fruit
salads, green
salt
seafood
sorbet
sugar, brown
sugar, white
sweet potatoes
vanilla
vinegar, champagne
vinegar, red wine
vinegar, sherry
vinegar, white wine
walnuts
watercress
wine, sweet
yogurt
almonds
Almonds adds nutty richness and texture that gives persimmons more contrast and substance.
apples
Apples adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out persimmons's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
avocados
Avocados adds complementary vegetable character, giving persimmons more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
bourbon
Bourbon adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
brandy
Brandy adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
caramel
Caramel adds seasoning or sweetness that balances persimmons's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
cashews
Cashews adds nutty richness and texture that gives persimmons more contrast and substance.
cheese
Cheese adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give persimmons more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
chile peppers, serrano
Chile Peppers, Serrano brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up persimmons's milder flavors and adds contrast.
chocolate, white
Chocolate, White adds roasted bitterness and depth that balances persimmons's sweetness, richness, or aromatic intensity.
cinnamon
Cinnamon adds warm spice to persimmons' honeyed sweetness, especially in baked or custard-style desserts.
cloves
Cloves adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against persimmons's natural base notes.
coffee
Coffee adds roasted bitterness and depth that balances persimmons's sweetness, richness, or aromatic intensity.
cognac
Cognac adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
cream and ice cream
Cream And Ice Cream adds richness and helps carry persimmons's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
custard
Custard adds richness and helps carry persimmons's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
endive
Endive complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
frisée
Frisée complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
ginger
Ginger complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
grapes
Grapes adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out persimmons's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
hazelnuts
Hazelnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives persimmons more contrast and substance.
honey
Honey adds seasoning or sweetness that balances persimmons's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
kirsch
Kirsch adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
kiwi
Kiwi complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
kumquats
Kumquats complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens persimmons's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
lemon, zest
Lemon, Zest brings acidity and brightness that sharpens persimmons's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
liqueurs
Liqueurs adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
mace
Mace adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against persimmons's natural base notes.
maple syrup
Maple Syrup adds seasoning or sweetness that balances persimmons's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
nutmeg
Nutmeg adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against persimmons's natural base notes.
oatmeal
Oatmeal gives persimmons a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
oil, hazelnut
Oil, Hazelnut adds richness and helps carry persimmons's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
olive oil
Olive Oil adds richness and helps carry persimmons's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
orange
Orange brings acidity and brightness that sharpens persimmons's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
pears
Pears adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out persimmons's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
pecans
Pecans adds nutty richness and texture that gives persimmons more contrast and substance.
pepper, black
Pepper, Black brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up persimmons's milder flavors and adds contrast.
pomegranates
Pomegranates complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
pork
Pork adds savory richness and browned depth that gives persimmons more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
poultry
Poultry adds savory richness and browned depth that gives persimmons more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
prosciutto
Prosciutto adds savory richness and browned depth that gives persimmons more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
puddings
Puddings complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
radicchio
Radicchio adds complementary vegetable character, giving persimmons more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
raisins
Raisins adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out persimmons's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
rum
Rum adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
salads, fruit
Salads, Fruit adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out persimmons's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
salads, green
Salads, Green complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
salt
Salt adds seasoning or sweetness that balances persimmons's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
seafood
Seafood brings briny savory depth that contrasts with persimmons's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
sorbet
Sorbet complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
sugar, brown
Sugar, Brown adds seasoning or sweetness that balances persimmons's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
sugar, white
Sugar, White adds seasoning or sweetness that balances persimmons's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
sweet potatoes
Sweet Potatoes gives persimmons a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
vanilla
Vanilla adds seasoning or sweetness that balances persimmons's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
vinegar, champagne
Vinegar, Champagne adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
vinegar, red wine
Vinegar, Red Wine adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
vinegar, sherry
Vinegar, Sherry adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
vinegar, white wine
Vinegar, White Wine adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
walnuts
Walnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives persimmons more contrast and substance.
watercress
Watercress adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out persimmons's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
wine, sweet
Wine, Sweet adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
yogurt
Yogurt adds richness and helps carry persimmons's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Apples adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out persimmons's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Avocados adds complementary vegetable character, giving persimmons more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Bourbon adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
brandy
Brandy adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Caramel adds seasoning or sweetness that balances persimmons's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
Cashews adds nutty richness and texture that gives persimmons more contrast and substance.
Cheese adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give persimmons more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
Chile Peppers, Serrano brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up persimmons's milder flavors and adds contrast.
Chocolate, White adds roasted bitterness and depth that balances persimmons's sweetness, richness, or aromatic intensity.
Cinnamon adds warm spice to persimmons' honeyed sweetness, especially in baked or custard-style desserts.
Cloves adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against persimmons's natural base notes.
coffee
Coffee adds roasted bitterness and depth that balances persimmons's sweetness, richness, or aromatic intensity.
Cognac adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
cream and ice cream
Cream And Ice Cream adds richness and helps carry persimmons's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
custard
Custard adds richness and helps carry persimmons's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Endive complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Frisée complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Ginger complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Grapes adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out persimmons's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Hazelnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives persimmons more contrast and substance.
Honey adds seasoning or sweetness that balances persimmons's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
kirsch
Kirsch adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
kiwi
Kiwi complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Kumquats complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens persimmons's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
lemon, zest
Lemon, Zest brings acidity and brightness that sharpens persimmons's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
liqueurs
Liqueurs adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Mace adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against persimmons's natural base notes.
Maple Syrup adds seasoning or sweetness that balances persimmons's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
Nutmeg adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against persimmons's natural base notes.
Oatmeal gives persimmons a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Oil, Hazelnut adds richness and helps carry persimmons's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Olive Oil adds richness and helps carry persimmons's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
orange
Orange brings acidity and brightness that sharpens persimmons's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
Pears adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out persimmons's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Pecans adds nutty richness and texture that gives persimmons more contrast and substance.
Pepper, Black brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up persimmons's milder flavors and adds contrast.
Pomegranates complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Pork adds savory richness and browned depth that gives persimmons more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
poultry
Poultry adds savory richness and browned depth that gives persimmons more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Prosciutto adds savory richness and browned depth that gives persimmons more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
puddings
Puddings complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Radicchio adds complementary vegetable character, giving persimmons more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Raisins adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out persimmons's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Rum adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
salads, fruit
Salads, Fruit adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out persimmons's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
salads, green
Salads, Green complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
salt
Salt adds seasoning or sweetness that balances persimmons's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
Seafood brings briny savory depth that contrasts with persimmons's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
sorbet
Sorbet complements persimmons by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
sugar, brown
Sugar, Brown adds seasoning or sweetness that balances persimmons's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
sugar, white
Sugar, White adds seasoning or sweetness that balances persimmons's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
Sweet Potatoes gives persimmons a starchy, baked, or structured base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Vanilla adds seasoning or sweetness that balances persimmons's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
Vinegar, Champagne adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Vinegar, Red Wine adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Vinegar, Sherry adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Vinegar, White Wine adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Walnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives persimmons more contrast and substance.
Watercress adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out persimmons's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
wine, sweet
Wine, Sweet adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps persimmons work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Yogurt adds richness and helps carry persimmons's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.