Diospyros kaki Tipo

Diospyros kaki Tipo is an Italian variety known for its resistance to the cold and high yield of large fruits that store well. It produces large spherical fruits that are slightly flattened and yellow in colour at harvest time, which is after the leaves have fallen.  They then turn orange when they become fully-ripe. They are harvested in October-November and continue to ripen in a warm room. You can consume them when their flesh becomes soft. The tree is self-fertile, so it is not necessary to plant another Kaki nearby to obtain fruits.

The Kaki 'Tipo' produces fruit that is 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) in diameter, with yellow skin. Slightly flattened, they are not perfectly round. The sweet pulp is yellow-orange in colour, very juicy, and slightly fibrous, containing small seeds. Be patient: harvesting generally takes place after year 3 or year 4.  Kaki fruits are not ready before the end of autumn, in October. Harvest them with secateurs. They are harvested when they are ripe, if they are soft to the touch they are fully-ripe. They should have experienced a light frost to lose their astringency. You can also try to harvest them while still firm and ripen them inside, wrapped in newspaper, near apples. For longer storage, opt for freezing. Fully-ripe harvested fruits should be consumed very quickly. In terms of cooking, Kaki can be eaten raw, cut in half and eaten with a spoon, or used in fruit salads, crumbles, jams or sometimes served with a savoury dish. It is rich in vitamin C and vitamin A.

The Kaki 'Tipo' is a moderately vigorous variety with a rather upright habit. The tree will reach approximately 6.50 m (21ft) in height and 4.50 m (15ft) in width, and its growth is quite slow. The flowering is late, appearing in June, in the form of small inconspicuous yellow flowers, which will be pollinated by insects. It is a hardy variety which tolerates exposed positions, but it requires warmth for the fruit to fully ripen. 

The Kaki (Dyospiros kaki) is a tree native to China. Belonging to the ebony family, its wood is very hard. The leaves of the Persimmon tree are elongated, about fifteen centimetres long, and shiny green in colour. They take on beautiful colours in the autumn that enhance the ornamental interest of the tree. Once fallen, they reveal the fruits, which are also very decorative and remain on the branches until December. Birds love persimmons, so make sure to harvest them before they do!