How to Ripen Persimmons Indoors

Persimmons don't have to become fully ripened while on the tree.

Persimmons are bright, orangish-red fruits. They provide a significant amount of vitamins A and C as well as fiber to your diet. Sometimes you may buy or pick persimmons that aren't quite ripe. Fortunately, you don't have to wait weeks for the fruit to fully ripen. Whether you want to toss a persimmon into a smoothie or just eat it by itself, you can speed up the ripening process indoors using a couple methods

Things You'll Need

• Brown paper lunch bag
• Ripe banana or apple
• Plastic container
• Eyedropper
• Vodka, rum or brandy
• Plastic wrap

Instructions

Paper Bag Method

1. Put an unripe persimmon into a brown paper lunch bag. Add a fully ripe banana or apple to the bag. The fully ripe fruit releases a gas that helps to speed up ripening of the persimmon.

2. Fold down the top of the bag to seal it tightly. Let the bag sit on the counter at room temperature.

3. Check the persimmon daily. Take it out once it has reached the desired ripeness.

Alcohol Method

1. Put the unripe persimmons into a plastic container. Use an eyedropper to apply a few drops of vodka, rum or brandy over the leaves on top of the persimmon.

2. Cover the container tightly with plastic wrap.

3. Set the container on the countertop at room temperature. Take out the persimmons once they have reached the desired ripeness.

Tips & Warnings

• Store ripe persimmons in the refrigerator.

• The exact time it will take to ripen persimmons varies based on the conditions indoors, as well how underipe the fruit was at the beginning.

References

• Family Management: Fruit of the Month: Persimmons
• UK Food Guide: Persimmons