Saijo

Saijo is an heirloom astringent Japanese persimmon whose name means the very best, reflecting its outstanding sweetness. It produces small to medium, elongated conical orange fruit that, when fully soft, offers exceptionally rich, honey-sweet flesh. Saijo is one of the more cold-hardy kaki persimmons, making it valuable for growers at the edge of persimmon range. The fruit is excellent fresh when ripe and is superb for drying. Trees are productive and show attractive fall color. As an astringent variety, the fruit must soften completely before eating to shed its tannins. Prized for flavor and relative hardiness, Saijo is a standout heirloom for temperate permaculture orchards.