Hoshigaki (Dried Persimmons)
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Hoshigaki or Japanese massaged dried persimmons have a unique flavor and texture are on the palate. They are aged, deflated, yet moist fruit with linear wrinkled grooves, shades of burnt orange and brown with a powdered glaze, a pleasantly chewy, moist texture, sweet and complex flavors of gingerbread and baking spices with a warm floral nose. As the fruits age over time, sugar continues to cake the surface, eventually masking much of the fruits' colors with a translucent white coat.
Seasons/Availability
Hoshigaki is available during the mid-winter.
Current Facts
The Hoshigaki method is a labor-intensive Japanese tradition and an art. Whole firm Hachiya persimmon are peeled by hand and strung up by strings. After about a week, the fruits are massaged every three to five days for several weeks. At the end of this period, the fruits will develop a white bloom as sugars come to the surface. The white bloom is the indicator that the pulp has set and is ready to be eaten. As the process is time-consuming and requires patience, Hoshigaki is a rare commercial occurrence.
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