NZ Persimmons

I fell in love with this fruit the minute I got introduced to it nearly six years ago.  It is delicious to eat, should be eaten when they are firm like an apple, with an even orange/red colour.  I love it's crunchy flavour.  I'm just not yet that adventurous to try eating the fruit with the skin on.  Persimmon is a relatively new commercial crop here according to the Persimmon Industry Council in New Zealand.  It is exported primarily to Australia and Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.  Primarily grown in the Gisborne area and North and South Auckland, this could be a good mix to our exports.  Normally harvested during Autumn, I'm savouring the last few times this fruit is readily available.