Diospyros kaki Vanillia - Persimmon

Diospyros kaki 'Vanillia', also known as ' Vaniglia', is an ancient Italian persimmon variety that is still sought after for its productivity, its great cold resistance (down to -22°C (-7.6°F)), and its mildly astringent fruits whose flesh reveals a delicate vanilla fragrance. They can be consumed as soon as they are harvested when their skin is orange, but they will be even more tasty if allowed to become over-ripe and turn red. The tree is of medium vigour, and its deciduous foliage takes on beautiful colours in autumn. It is not necessary to plant another persimmon tree nearby to obtain fruit. This persimmon tree is a good pollinator and will encourage fruit production in other varieties.

'Vanillia' produces slightly flattened fruits that are 8 to 10cm (3 to 4in) in diameter. Their thin skin changes colour from green to orange (when ripe) and then red (when over-ripe). The tender and melting flesh may contain small seeds. The flesh is dark bronze in colour, sometimes reddish. It takes around 4 to 5 years to fruit. The fruits can be harvested as soon as they turn orange. The harvest continues until the first frost. Pick them with secateurs. They should be harvested when they are slightly soft to the touch and should be consumed very quickly. Their flavour is significantly better when they are over-ripe, after experiencing a light frost. You can also pick them when they are still firm and allow them to ripen indoors, wrapped in newspaper, with the stem facing downwards. Place them near apples to ripen. For longer storage, opt for freezing. Persimmons have melting, smooth, and honey-like flesh that can be consumed naturally, cut in half and eaten with a spoon. They blend well in fruit salads. In cooking, they reveal all their flavours when transformed into jams, compotes, and jellies, or used to make crumbles and cakes. They can also accompany savoury dishes. It is rich in vitamin C and provitamin A.

'Vanillia' forms a tree approximately 5m (16ft) in height and 3m (10ft) in width at maturity. It blooms in May-June, in the form of small insignificant yellow flowers, which are pollinated by insects. It is a very hardy variety, but it needs warmth to fully ripen its fruits. In cooler regions, plant them near a south-facing wall to protect them from the wind.

Diospyros kaki belongs to the Ebenaceae family, like ebony (D. ebenum), with which it shares a common feature: very hard wood. Its name comes from the combination of the Greek words "Dios" (God) and "Pyros" (wheat). It originates from the Far East, particularly from southern China.

The shiny green leaves are elongated, measuring about 15cm (6in) long. They take on beautiful yellow, red, purple, or bronze colours in autumn. Once they have fallen, they reveal the fruits, which are also very decorative and will remain on the branches until the first snowfall.