Kaki tree

The persimmon tree (Diospyros kaki) is a tree that originally grew in the tropics and subtropics and reaches a height of up to 10 meters. The dark green, lanceolate leaves are divided into petiole and leaf blade.

Diospyros kaki belongs to the genus Diospyros or ebony trees and to the ebony family (Ebenaceae). There are around 500 species.

Cultivated forms or varieties of the persimmon are the honey apple, persimmon or the seedless Sharon fruit, whereby the latter contains hardly any tannin and can therefore be eaten as a hard fruit.

Commission E: not processed

ESCOP: not processed

HMPC: not processed

Studies: see under references and literature

The fruits contain iodine, among other things, and also tannins when unripe (bitter taste of green fruits). The wood contains naphthoquinone derivatives. Bioactive ingredients include proanthocyanidin, carotenoids, tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanidin and catechin.

Persimmons have been used in China for over 2000 years, making them one of the oldest cultivated plants. The fruit of the persimmon tree is known by various names: persimmon, kaki, sharon fruit. It is round and resembles a tomato in color and shape. The persimmon can be eaten like an apple, with or without the skin.

Effect: Alleviates oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) with a corresponding anti-malignant and anti-melanogenic effect. Evidence of effect on cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia.

According to the Japanese proverb: "If the persimmon is orange-red, the doctor turns pale."

Persimmon leaves are used to wrap sushi, although the persimmon leaf should not be eaten, but only wrapped to prevent spoilage due to its suspected antibacterial effect.

1. Butt MS et al. (2015) Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) fruit: hidden phytochemicals and health claims. EXCLI J. 4;14:542-61. doi: 10.17179/excli2015-159. PMID: 27047315; PMCID: PMC4817420.

2. Kim HS et al. (2020) Anti-cancer potential of persimmon (Diospyros kaki) leaves via the PDGFR-Rac-JNK pathway. Sci Rep. 22;10(1):18119. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-75140-3. PMID: 33093618; PMCID: PMC7581826.