Texas Persimmon (Diospyros texana) - Weird Fruit Explorer Ep 229

[@WeirdExplorer]

If you liked this, check out these other episodes about persimmons: Chocolate Pudding Fruit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGLNg4COpMmCa80 Texas Persimmon: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4C5cnWqrNKVo9E Fuyu vs Haichiya: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6LPq4GFbqpsas0 Chocolate Pudding Fruit in Mexico: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5u7eWuZjKt4aa8 American Persimmon: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3O0qWhroa19pas tropical persimmon: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWSac3Snm61ql9k

[@SKiLLsSoLoN]

Tsurunoko aka Chocolate persimmon kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6rOkICEaNKiaJI

[@ryanpena610]

Wow thank you for the compliments! I’m really glad you liked the fruit and jam, and I’m glad I could help add another fruit to your list :)

[@WeirdExplorer]

You're the best. It really was an interesting one!

[@vazev]

You are awesome Ryan! Thank you for making this video possible!

[@Erik-ht3yi]

I’m in Dallas and I’ve never seen or heard of this type of persimmon.

[@lauvpatel5258]

I also live in Texas but I never hear of this fruit, I really want to try it now.

[@hasibahmadzai7569]

@@WeirdExplorer I just wanted to mention I just ate a black Sapote after having some Miracle berries and it really heightened the flavour and made it taste like chocolate pudding! I agree the black Sapote by itself is a bit mild in sweetness like unsweetened date paste.

[@censusgary]

Even most Texans don’t know about this fruit. It is only common in south Texas (where I live) and in part of northern Mexico. It’s also fairly hard to forage- it’s not rare, but birds usually eat all the fruit before I find it. Jared’s description of the taste is apt. The fruit on wild plants is quite small- the ones in this video are probably the largest I’ve ever seen. If you get enough of them, though, you can make a good molasses out of them. They are also good in cakes and cookies.

[@peachymanaangel]

Gary Cooper do they grow in the south east or closer to Mexico were it is drier?

[@censusgary]

I know the Texas persimmon from the Rio Grande Valley. But the Wikipedia article on Diospyros texana has a range map that shows the plant occurring from maybe Austin south into Mexico and west about as far as the Big Bend, but not including the upper Texas coast (so excluding Houston, Galveston, the Big Thicket, the Piney Woods, etc). en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diospyros_texana

[@RickGrael]

They're also very common in the Hill Country and in parts of West Texas wherever there is occasionally more water than usual, especially along arroyos. The main entrance to Big Bend National Park is even called Persimmon Gap.

[@haroldsaxon1075]

The trees are plentiful in Austin tx, but only 1 in 4 or so actually produce fruit. Anyone know what the fruiting conditions are? Are some trees male?

[@absalomdraconis]

@@haroldsaxon1075 : kwitchabichen mentioned that some trees are male, and the females need a male nearby for fruit.

[@kwitchabichen]

As a someone that is always trying native fruits, i could tell you less than 5% of texans know this is edible. I have been eating them since i was a younger and can tell you different trees have different quality but most are super sweet. You have to find a female tree to get fruit and will require a male somewhere near by. The tree takes many years to get to a size that will fruit. When i find a tree that has an extra “fruity” glavor on top of the sweetness i always go back and fill a bag.

[@treehugger9070]

I’m in horticulture class and I was telling my teacher that this “bush” we had was actually an American persimmon. She said “our school wouldn’t plant that” and then came back in class with a fruit and a branch, looked it up and proved her wrong. And your video is helping me convince her to let me eat it.

[@swannjiejiechow3495]

Hi, would you consider sending me like 10 seeds ? what would you like to exchange for that? :^)

[@dragunovbushcraft152]

You can eat the skins on a Texas persimmon! Delicious. They also make good wine.

[@tohopes]

Yay. I've sprouted some seeds; maybe I'll get to taste this in about 7 years.

[@AlbinoAxolotl]

tohopes Where did you get the seeds? Also do they grow on trees or shrubs? I’d love to grow some as well. I have a pretty large rare fruit collection so I’d be happy to do a trade!

[@tohopes]

You can see what the trees look like in various KZbin videos. I got the seeds back in August from an eBay seller in Texas who no longer has any listed. Maybe the season is over? I kept them moist and warm and they germinated within a few weeks.

[@PalmSandsRanch]

They are a delight, my ranch in SW Texas is covered with the trees, they are a wonderful small semi-evergreen tree with a peeling whiteish bark. 👍 Make great jam.

[@squizzyicetea]

My yard is FILLED with these trees! We eat Texas persimmons and cactus all the time. They've been used, traditionally, as dye. They cook into a great jam with a raisin or prune like flavor. Also! You can use the ground and roast seed as coffee substitute people swear by it

[@swannjiejiechow3495]

Hi, would you consider sending me like 10 seeds ? what would you like to exchange for that? :^)

[@akochera]

I never saw this in East Texas, but in Hill Country around San Antonio it is fairly common. The deer love this fruit.

[@Swindle1984]

I have these growing wild on my property; they're absolutely delicious and make EXCELLENT jelly. Very nutritious.

[@Swindle1984]

The skin is perfectly edible, by the way. Removal is unnecessary.

[@Swindle1984]

The reason they're hard to grow is because you have male and female trees; only female trees produce fruit, and until it gets to the point that it can produce fruit, you have no idea if your tree is male or female.

[@richardportman8912]

Great review! Saw these growing wild in Big Bend, TX years ago. Have been curious ever since. Super interesting. I also appreciate that you show us the seeds even if it isn't always pretty! Big thanks to Ryan!

[@WeirdExplorer]

Thanks Richard!

[@benbishop7775]

This is a really great video Jared. A really obscure fruit, good taste description and references to existing fruits. Nice!!

[@WeirdExplorer]

Thanks Ben!

[@Lancastor]

a good fruit reccomendation is the sand plum, in oklahoma they are common to see. we pick them from bushes back home

[@absalomdraconis]

Warning for the unfamiliar: sand plum jelly usually has sweetener added, because the fruits just aren't very sweet.

[@mrsenstitz]

Bob Hansler did a video on the fruits growing on his land. He said that he munches on them whilst wandering around.

[@kateblack6406]

I'm so pleased I found this video! I have a few persimmons but really wanted to try to grow a texan persimmon here in Ireland. I couldn't get one but did get a few seeds. I managed to germinate just one and my little tree is now just 2 inches tall and is being very very lovingly looked after in the hope it survives!

[@baddriversofcolga]

They have these growing at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin and I was surprised how tasty they are. Wish they grew everywhere.

[@cryptid-artha]

You have inspired me to try new fruits whenever I can! :D

[@midesti]

I have never seen persimmons like this before. That's really cool.

[@smokiedapoo2]

These dont grow everywhere in Texas. I tried foraging for them. They like living in dry hill country areas and deer love them.

[@richardportman8912]

That's why we love dry hill country areas.

[@evilcanofdrpepper]

Dang, I really like persimons, have been searching for sapotes to try and love rambutans and everything else longan berry related so this sounds like a dream plant to me. I live is California so if it can survive the deserts of Texas than it should grow ok here!

[@zelosmiman5533]

Good as always. Growing these in my backyard already.

[@WeirdExplorer]

cool, good luck!

[@Shanask487]

Interesting. In China we have a mini persimmon that is edible only after being dried. We call that "black date" or black jujube.

[@swannjiejiechow3495]

Hi, would you consider sending me like 10 seeds ? what would you like to exchange for that? :^)

[@notmyworld44]

This fruit is native only to tropical and desert regions of south Texas. I grew up in the Houston area, and I don't remember seeing this one there. Good video, as usual!

[@nozrep]

been in Texas my whole life and just now discovering😅. never too late!

[@ornokur6315]

So cool. I always wanted to try one, thank you to the person who sent these, and thanks for reviewing them Jared.

[@WeirdExplorer]

Thanks Raymond!

[@lorenr3276]

They grow everywhere where I live. Growing up i would go racoon hunting with my friend. He had about 15 coon hounds. The dogs were trained to go right to the persimmon trees. Raccoons like a variety of fruits but these are by far their favorite. The fruits taste quite sweet but fall short in flavor. You can boil them down and make a syrup.

[@lunnalocca9376]

I found this video because I was walking in the woods and I came across a bunch a squished berries on the ground. I saw this tree with berries and I picked them. When I got home I googled and found your video. Thank you this was very informative. Now I'm not scared to try them lol

[@WeirdExplorer]

happy to help :)

[@atomicwendy]

I have a Texas Persimmon tree. it's gorgeous and the fruit is awesome.

[@morafarms]

Honestly knowing Black Sapotes (I loove those) - That black tar-y substance looks delicious to me. Even darker fleshed persimmons, like Chocolate, are usually tastier to me. Did not even know this species existed or grew in Texas though!

[@seananthames7017]

I'm in Central Texas and they are all over my property. Tastes like chocolate

[@AlbinoAxolotl]

What a fabulous fruit! Looks like I’m going to have to do some research and searching for this one. Thank you again for such an awesome video!

[@WeirdExplorer]

Thanks!

[@void-citizen]

Ive lived in texas all my life and was totally unaware of this fruit until seeing some in a park and looking it up on Google and seeing u had this vid on them. Lol thanks dude. (And ryan!)

[@russelljazzbeck]

Thanks for the review. I just found out one of our trees is a young Texas Persimmon. I hope it fruits one day, but apparently it could be 6+ years from now.

[@gracekinnard9854]

I have many, many of these small trees on my property. Only the females produce the berries and, yes, they will stain your mouth and fingers if you don't wash quickly!

[@gewgulkansuhckitt9086]

Another member of the persimmon family you might want to try is the date plum (Diospyros lotus).

[@MellifexFarm]

I have these all over my yard! I can never seem to find many fruits, the animals normally get them all first :P

[@WeirdExplorer]

Smart animals hah

[@hibaby9379]

Morgan what part of Texas do you find these, I live in East Texas and have never seen these before.. We do have a very sweet variety here but they ripen in the winter...

[@AlbinoAxolotl]

Morgan's Garden and Apiary Do these grow on a tree or a bush/shrub? I’m really interested in growing a nice sweet variety!

[@censusgary]

Jen Thompson, it’s generally more of a shrub than a tree, although it may grow into a small tree if conditions are right.

[@censusgary]

Some Texas Persimmon trees are said to be 12 meters (about 39 feet) high, although I’ve never seen one anywhere near that tall. Perhaps if you planted a tree in full sun, watered it and fertilized it, you’d get a really big one. Or maybe that would kill it. Cultivating wild trees can be tricky. Not every plant can be domesticated (although that doesn’t stop me from trying). By the way, the Texas Persimmon is dioecious, meaning each tree is either male or female, and you need at least one of each sex to get fruit.

[@mrsenstitz]

Bob Hansler did a video on this. It was lovely, Texas seems to have a good bit of indigenous fruits.

[@dataquester]

Remindes me of pecan pie. We have an area where i live n southern Oklahoma that has a dozen or so of these trees.. most of the fruits have 6+ seeds n em. But one of the trees has 1-3 seeds per fruit. It is by far the best tree for foraging..

[@kevandcj]

I harvested 5 gallons of black persimmons growing wild on our half acre propery in the Texas Hill Country. I've prepared them and I'm about to make jam and would love to get a good recipe!

[@deitra.editor]

I’m visiting family in south Texas and saw this fruit in trees all over the yard! Loved this video, I might try to make some jam! New subscriber. 🌿

[@SaintNick02]

The persimmon I had in Texas were about that size but orange and they were delicious I used to grab buckets of them and munch on them all day

[@erickguardado4220]

Man just found you and also a fan of exotic fruits . Just earned a sub

[@WeirdExplorer]

Thanks!

[@frankmacleod2565]

going through all these old videos, and I still haven't seen you review Fruit of the Loom yet

[@r0nxc0re]

All these awesome fruit vids and you’re also a contortionist 👏🏼

[@mourningcrows]

I have 5 Texas persimmon trees on my property that produce fruit. Funny you have the Sapote, my dad says they’re “Sapotillos” (little sapotes).

[@PforPanthera]

Oh huh we had a tree that produced this fruit in our yard when I was a kid. We never ate any but my dad would say they were persimmons.

[@paradisefruitgarden-of-ede1444]

@Weird_Explorer good evaluation on the Tx Persimmon. Next time can you do us all a favor and put some in your hair and tell us if it dyes your hair black or brownish. Opps!!! you have black hair, who can you get to volunteer to see, maybe a blond friend of yours? Now the possibilities open up (think tank)!

[@elizabethshaw734]

It is best made into Jam. It is great on English muffins! Or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich yum!

[@p.w.r.4179]

how would u describe the taste?

[@capnstewy55]

Ceylon Gooseberry video here I come.

[@vegantrader]

Jared, I just saw you on the Action Bronson show! Wow, I had no idea you were a contortionist!

[@WeirdExplorer]

Ah cool, I was wondering if anyone here would have seen me on it haha. Yep, that's my day job.

[@DarnellGamer]

I'm from Houston Texas n I nvr heard of it lol heyyy what's up are u still donating seeds to patron supporters?

[@madelinecook4659]

My uncle has one of these trees but that’s the only time I’ve seen them. He lives in the hill country of Texas.

[@easygrows2699]

Wow, first of all thanks for another great Video Jared, secondly amazing to always find new fruits, i never new these existed, im gonna try growing them since i dont really like the normal persimmons,

[@WeirdExplorer]

Cool! Yeah these are very different. Scant flesh, but very tasty.

[@Hayley-sl9lm]

Probably has SO much anthocyanin, wow. Unless it's another pigment type? Very healthy probably...

[@aphi1022]

can these be grown in Dallas? or just south Texas?

[@yuantheawesomegamer8752]

I Am Excited For The Garlic Fruit Video Next Week'

[@WeirdExplorer]

Its going to be an interesting one!

[@easygrows2699]

Me too :D !!!

[@edblank2766]

Why haven't you reviewed chilli peppers?

[@WeirdExplorer]

Chilies are a big undertaking. I'll do a review one of these days comparing some varieties.

[@kir2847]

Capsicum chinense varieties with vaguely badass names will surely get you some views!

[@MrCJSherrill]

i’ve lived in houston since birth and I’ve not heard of these until i watched this video I wanna make jam

[@diegovillalobos8569]

im from noth Mexico here we called "chapote" or zapote prieto is a wild tree, is not regualar now because desertification are destroying the trees.

[@AlexGargilisChannel]

We had normal wild orange-colored persimmons in Texas too...

[@AlexGargilisChannel]

Yes! I remember as children we picked them too early not knowing they had to ripen... but eventually they did and they were wonderful!

[@richardlozano4236]

You should do a review show on all the native American fruit you have tried. And do even more shows on local American fruit

[@VincentGonzalezVeg]

chocolate persimmions are amazing the flesh is brown and orange inside an normal persimmion skin with a few mm waxy translicent orange skin, you can see brown between orange fiborus veins as an indication they are in the best eating time for ripening

[@sazji]

I’ve always been curious about this one but never came across it. Speaking of small, have you tried Diospyros lotos? Pea-sized persimmons. :-)

[@WeirdExplorer]

I haven't, but have been wanting to try it!

[@thebluenoble6175]

Mr. Weird, if you had to eat a black sapote or a black plantain again which would you choose?

[@WeirdExplorer]

Black sapote. If anything, just for the rarity, but also with the fantasy that one day I will find one that actually tastes like chocolate.

[@trannusaran6164]

I gotta say, it’s pretty amazing how you’re able to pick out all these specific flavors in the stuff you find (or come across). Were you always like that, or was it something that developed with the project?

[@WeirdExplorer]

I'm getting better at it, I also edit out a lot of me scratching my head and going "uhhh...."

[@jadenpina5420]

I have a tree with these persimmons in my backyard!

[@WeirdExplorer]

nice!

[@swannjiejiechow3495]

Hi, would you consider sending me like 10 seeds ? what would you like to exchange for that? :^)

[@Bugsaresocool]

hey so i bought a hachiya persimmon a few months back in a fruit shop. i waited a week or so for it to ripen, but when i cut it open, there was black lines and stuff in it. is this some specific type of persimmon or was it just rotting? (i didnt eat it just to be safe)

[@WeirdExplorer]

Hmm.. not sure. I've never had a persimmon do that, could have been bad :/

[@feralkevin]

When did you film that? I would love to know when they are ripe.

[@WeirdExplorer]

I filmed that.... Aug 1st. So I'm guessing its in season towards the end of September.

[@dougules]

Can you eat them directly off the tree, or do you have to wait for them to get really ripe and fall like with eastern American persimmons?

[@hazratusman4869]

Here in North Pakistan we have lots of black persimmon

[@sammyjocatlady7551]

Concord grapes have a leathery skin and a slimey inside but the flavor is worth the weirdness

[@ihateyankees3655]

I guess not everything is bigger in Texas.

[@chelseabernard6642]

What part of texas do they grow in? I've lived in southeast texas my entire life and have never even heard of these.

[@DarnellGamer]

From Houston n me either. N I been watching this guy since he started. He actually helped me grow my exotic garden by showing me these fruits

[@WeirdExplorer]

so glad to help!

[@tt55k]

Do they use it for a dye ?

[@julianfleming5627]

I'm from Houston and have never seen the actual fruit of this persimmon only the tree.Thx

[@I.amthatrealJuan]

Wait Jared, is your South America series over? You haven't posted such content in a while.

[@WeirdExplorer]

I'm afraid so. I have a couple things filmed that may end up in future episodes, but the South America chapter is over until I visit again.

[@PrimalRenegade17]

Here in Australia with have a nice persimon

[@NameWithheld999]

The wood from those trees is called Texas Ebony and it beautiful stuff.

[@rileymcnutt4230]

When ever I've worked with the wood its turned brittle and crumbly, and Texas ebony is a different tree with seed pods.

[@downrightmike]

You need to find out the focal length of your camera so that you can get a good close up of the fruit, also would help the camera auto focus if you hold the fruit in one hand and put your palm up behind it.

[@shujaatalibangash]

Hi we call it black persimmon " kala amlok" in Pakistan.

[@haroldsaxon1075]

I ate one growing wild as a kid, and my mom freaked out thinking I ate poison XD

[@designjesussoto]

Ok, based on the taste description-impression , we call it Uvalama in Spanish.

[@cerverg]

Diospyros californica is very similar but bigger and if you ask me better tastewise and seed-to-pulp ratio

[@AceMan345]

Hello Frank

[@OlWolf1011]

Diospyros - is the Ebony family. Have you hunted down Ebony and seen if the fruit is edible?

[@lauvpatel5258]

I live in Texas but I actually never heard of these fruit

[@GeneralArmorus]

that's one LONG tongue. lon-ton

[@seananthames7017]

I have tons of persimmon trees

[@ludwigiapilosa508]

1:17 is a calyx, not a stem.

[@totalredeem44]

interesting

[@angelas332]

Where can i order a icecreem bean from

[@WeirdExplorer]

i think miamifruit.org might have them.

[@nakrul987]

long tongue is long

[@WeirdExplorer]

rock n roll

[@Shane_O.5158]

i hope to grow these in australia.

[@oscarbear7498]

we're you able too?

[@Shane_O.5158]

the seeds didn't grow. @@oscarbear7498

[@errarehumanumest3810]

Would you be able to send me the seeds of this Mexican Persimmon? I can send you seeds, too. Remember, when you come to the Caribbean, to contact me for the special fruits. I identified a number of them you don't have yet, I think.

[@hibaby9379]

I live in Texas, what the hell is that!, I've never seen a persimmon like that!.. Don't eat it!..lol

[@WeirdExplorer]

haha too late!

[@hibaby9379]

Giggles!..

[@keithlarsen7557]

Im reppin that 817 214 area, aint heated of even persimmons.

[@elizabethshaw734]

Black sapote makes me nauseous.

[@jacobalcaraz6401]

lived in texas my whole life and never seen em

[@stormevans6897]

What is it with you and birds? lol

[@JohnGotts]

Catbird

[@lisastarves5543]

Looks yummy..😆😆😆😆😆

[@alfredhernandez9799]

Darn! The secret is out and now we're going to have those darned Yankees coming down here and stealing our persimmons!!! ;-) Welcome to Texas -- now, go home! ;-)

[@Shanask487]

diospyros lotus, the latin name is diospyros lotus. aka date-plum? have you tried that?

[@WeirdExplorer]

I haven't, looks interesting though!

[@GlobsterAGoGo]

Goth fruit! :o