Chocolate

Persimmon

Size

Medium

Shape

Acorn-shaped

Flavor

Very sweet

Texture

Distinctive brown ("chocolate") flesh when ripe - astringent variety, needs full ripening

Ripening window

October (blooms in June)

Best uses

Fresh eating

Pollination

Self-fertile - no pollinator needed; also a strong pollinator for other persimmons thanks to producing more male flowers than most varieties

Tree size

12 ft with regular pruning (20+ ft unpruned); compact form; 50+ lb/year at maturity

Notes

Also known as Zenji Maru. Bright orange skin. Historically confused with the separate "Maru" variety - Dave Wilson Nursery confirms they're distinct; Chocolate reliably shows brown flesh, Maru only shows it when pollinated. Hardy to 0F, zones 7-10.