The South Coast Research and Extension Center opened it gates to invited guests, the California Rare Fruit Growers sociation and the UCCE Master Gardeners on Thursday, November 9, 2017. Attendees were treated to the annual persimmon taste testing held at the South Coast REC in Irvine. Of the approximately (69) guests, 52 participated in a blind tasting and evaluation of the persimmon fruits grown at the Center. Evaluators were asked to rate the 10 varieties using a basic one to five scale based on attractiveness, astringency, sugar, flavor and overall performance.

The persimmon collection at the Center contains various cultivars that are not widely available and are sought after by avid fans of this fruit.

 

Persimmon cultivars are classified in relation to fruit astringency at harvest: Pollination Constant Non Astringent (PCNA), Pollination Variant Non Astringent (PVNA), Pollination Variant Astringent (PVA) and Pollination Constant Astringent (PCA). The varieties that were evaluated during the tasting included California Fuyu (PCNA), Gosho (PCNA), OC Fuyu (PCNA), Imoto (PCNA), Matsumoto Wase (PCNA), True Fuyu (PCNA), Trible (PVNA), Jiro (PCNA), Kurakuma (PCNA), and Fuyu F8(PCNA).

The persimmon enthusiast toured the orchard and participated in a U-pick activity filling up bags with Fuyu and Hachiya varieties. Following the harvest, attendees joined Master Food Preservers in the conference room to learn about safe food handling and learn how to incorporate the fruit into recipes such as jams and side dishes. All who participated thoroughly enjoyed the dehydrated persimmons, persimmon jam and the brown rice and persimmon salad – a must on many Thanksgiving menus this year.

 Participants, young and old alike, expressed their excitement for the opportunity to sample the various varieties not commonly available in the marketplace in addition to (7) early Cherimoya varieties: Fino de Jete, Bays, Sabor, Lisa, Thomson, Orton and Knight.

Listed below are the tasting results for those who are curious to see where their favorite ranked this year: 

Many thanks to the staff; UCCE Master Food Preservers and Master Gardener volunteers who helped with the slicing, setup, facilitating, and clean up. Very special acknowledgment to the team of volunteers led by Isabel Barkman assist with our orchards year-round and for their hard work harvesting, labeling, and preparing the persimmons and cherimoyas for this event.

                                                                                                               

 

Yes, you read correctly. We will have several varieties of cherimoyas available to taste in addition to the persimmons during our annual "persimmon" tasting on Thursday, November 9th. Come on out and give your taste buds a treat with these fall delicacies.

Schedule: 

9:00 am to 10:00  am         VIP Activity (see below) Pre-registration and fee required

10:30 am to 11:00 am         Lecture – Safe Food Handling & Persimmon Recipe Options - free

11:00 am to 12:30pm         Persimmon and Cherimoya Tasting - free

SUCCULENT PLANT SALE - BLOW OUT PRICES!!! 10:00 AM TO 12:30 PM

 

For more information go to http://screc.ucanr.edu/?calitem=376819&g=68933

Location 7601 Irvine Blvd.  Irvine, CA

Be sure to join us for the UC ANR South Coast REC Persimmon Tasting and Plant Sale 

Schedule: 

9:00 am to 10:00  am         VIP Activity (see below) Pre-registration required

10:30 am to 11:00 am         Lecture – Safe Food Handling & Recipe Options

11:00 am to 12:30pm          Tasting (pending availability)

PLANT SALE - BLOW OUT PRICES!!! 10:00 AM TO 12:30 PM - SORRY, NO CREDIT CARDS - CHECK OR CASH ONLY

 

 ****SPECIAL  V.I.P. OPPORTUNITY****

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED - FEE PAYABLE AT REGISTRATION - SEE BELOW (SORRY, NO CREDIT CARDS)

Join UC ANR South Coast REC's own persimmon aficionados, Isabel Barkman and Kent Marshall, UCCE Orange County Master Gardener and CA Rare Fruit Grower Volunteers, for a special VIP fall stroll through the Center's persimmon collection. Learn fun facts and have questions answered about these delectable wonders of the fall.

Following the tour, enjoy a U-pick opportunity harvesting Hachiya persimmon varieties great for pairing with your favorite Thanksgiving dishes, preserving, or try your hand at Hoshigaki - the ancient Japanese art of drying persimmons.

For VIP tour reservations please fill out the form at the following link:

http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=21839

*Tour fee is $35, includes (1) large bag for Hachiya variety persimmon harvest. Additional bags available for $20 ea.

 Space is limited to (60). Deadline to register is November 7th, 2017

Cash or Check Accepted Only - Sorry NO credit cards.  Please make checks payable to: UC Regents

In case you missed the recent Pitahaya 'Dragon Fruit' Festival held this last August at the UC ANR South Coast REC, be sure to read Jeannette Warnert's blog article: http://ucanr.edu/?blogpost=25044&blogasset=91109#.