First foods database
🟠 Persimmon for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat persimmon? Yes, from about 6 months, when fully ripe. Ripe persimmon is jammy, honey-sweet and rich in vitamin A, and can be scooped, mashed or served as soft slices. It is a seasonal treat in autumn and winter.
Good source of: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Fibre, Manganese
How to serve persimmon by age
6 to 9 months
Choose very soft, ripe fruit. Scoop out the flesh and mash, or offer peeled, soft wedges to hold. Very soft persimmon can be served as a spoonable purée on its own.
9 to 12 months
Cut ripe persimmon into small pieces, or stir mashed flesh into yoghurt and porridge.
12 months and up
Serve slices or chopped persimmon. Firmer Fuyu types can be thinly sliced for confident chewers.
Choking safety
Firm persimmon can be crunchy like an apple: thinly slice, grate or wait until soft. Remove any seeds and peel tough skin.
Gagging is common and noisy while babies learn to eat. Choking is usually silent. Always stay with your baby while they eat, sitting upright. How to help a choking baby (NHS).
Good to know
- Unripe astringent varieties taste bitter: wait until very soft.
Easy ideas
- Mashed persimmon on porridge
- Persimmon with Greek yoghurt
- Soft persimmon wedges
Goes well with
Weaning with OBubba
Log first foods in seconds. OBubba spots the allergens for you.
Track every food your baby has tried, see reactions over time, and let OBubba gently pace new allergens one at a time. Free to download.
Questions parents ask
Can babies eat persimmon?
Can babies eat persimmon? Yes, from about 6 months, when fully ripe. Ripe persimmon is jammy, honey-sweet and rich in vitamin A, and can be scooped, mashed or served as soft slices. It is a seasonal treat in autumn and winter.
Can babies eat persimmon skin?
It can be tough. Peel it for young babies. On very ripe fruit, the skin may be soft enough to leave on for older babies.
How do I know if a persimmon is ripe?
Hachiya types should feel very soft like a water balloon. Fuyu types are ripe when deep orange. Firm persimmons ripen in a few days at room temperature next to bananas.
Sources
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).