Persimmon - Origin

Region

The persimmon, specifically Diospyros kaki, is native to China, Northeast India, and northern Indochina.

Wild origins

Archaeological and literary evidence suggest that wild persimmon trees have existed for thousands of years before cultivation.

Domestication

Persimmon has been around for thousands of years and was domesticated during the Qin and Han dynasties. Large-scale cultivation began during the Tang and Song dynasties, and primary production districts were formed in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Historical Facts

While Diospyros kaki is commonly cultivated, Diospyros virginiana, also known as the American persimmon, is a native North American species that wasn't as widely cultivated historically.