The sweet autumn fruit of this beautiful tree Diospyros kaki is known by many names around the world, variously called kaki, oriental persimmon, star fruit and sharon fruit. Locally, it’s known as snotappel in Afrikaans, making reference to the old-fashioned astringent varieties that turn soft and slimy when ripe.

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At Babylonstoren we have five non-astringent Japanese varieties of Diospyros kaki, all of which remain firm when ripe, and can be sliced like an apple, namely: Surugu, Izu, MW Fuyu, NZ Fuyu, and I Jiro.

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If you visit in the next few weeks you will be able to enjoy the last fruits ripening to a deep orange between the leaves, as they change to a copper-red. It really is a special autumn sight.

And another treat would be to enjoy them at Babel, simply chilled with Amaretto.

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