Bruises and cracks. A persimmon with a black spot isn’t “rustic”—it’s sad. And any crack in the skin is an open door for bacteria. Also, avoid fruits that look wrinkly unless you’re specifically hunting for dried persimmons. A wrinkly fresh persimmon is just a dehydrated disappointment.
And finally, a warning about the tannins: even a slightly unripe Hachiya can leave your mouth feeling like a desert. If you eat one and your tongue goes numb, don’t panic. Eat some cheese or bread. The fat binds to the tannins. Or just cry into a glass of milk, like I did.
