Beginning next month, the California persimmon season will kick off, beginning with Fuyu in mid-September. Growers are reporting a good fruit stock and are just waiting for cooler nights to arrive for the fruit to be completely ready.
"We have three varieties of persimmon, beginning with the Fuyu in mid September," shared Jeannine Martin of Giumarra Brothers Fruit Co in Reedley. "This will be followed by our proprietary variety 'Sugar and Spice', which begins on October 10, and lastly Hachiya beginning October 15."
"The weather has been good for the crop in the lead up to harvest," she continued. "All we need are some cool evenings in order for the fruit to color up. Ideally evening temperatures should be in the 50s or low 60s and we expect to see that in early September."
Grower MPG beneficial for persimmon program
Giumarra has been able to solidify their persimmon program with their grower MPG. This year, they are expecting a significant jump in volume and are predicting marketable volume well into December on Fuyu and Hachiyas. Additionally, the company is proud to offer exclusively California-grown persimmons during the Fall program.
"Our largest grower is MPG, located in parts of the central and southern San Joaquin Valley," Martin said. "Over the last several years, we had smaller growers which were able to supply Hachiya and occasionally Fuyu. The partnership with MPG enables us to have good supply until January for Fuyu, mid November for 'Sugar and Spice', and mid December or perhaps Christmas for Hachiya."
"Volume is expected to be up by 30 percent this year, largely due to many of the trees coming into their third and fourth year of production," she added. "Much of that additional volume will come in November and December which will be very nice for us because we start early."
Preparations for upcoming season
Currently, the persimmon program will be entirely conventional, but the company is considering expanding this to organic if and when the time is right in the future. The focus is now on the upcoming Fall season and presenting the three persimmon varieties they have to offer, including the 'Sugar and Spice'.
"Sugar and Spice has notes of vanilla with high BRIX," Martin shared. "It looks like a Hachiya but eats like a Fuyu - meaning it is ready to eat immediately and does not require any additional ripening."
Martin added that Giumarra will be accompanying their persimmon program with promotional materials and will also have a variety of different packaging options. "We will have recipe cards as well as videos available which we are happy to share with interested parties and they can do so by getting in touch with us," she said. "The persimmons will be available in 2lb bags, single layer flat packs, in bulk and also in clamshells."
For more information:
Jeannine Martin
Giumarra Brothers Fruit Co.
Tel: +1 (559) 897-5060