When can babies eat persimmon?

From around 6 months, once your baby is ready for solids, served in a safe shape and texture for their age.

Persimmon

An autumn fruit that turns sweet and jammy when it's fully ripe.

Checked against official guidance on October 18, 2026 · How we review

Quick answer

Babies can eat persimmon from around 6 months, once they show signs of being ready for solids. Prepare it as shown below.

From 6 monthsMedium choking risk as servedNot a common allergen

How to serve persimmon by age

6 months+

Ripe peeled wedges or mash

Use only a fully ripe, soft persimmon. Peel it, cut out the stem and any seeds, and slice the flesh into thick wedges. Very soft persimmons can be scooped out and mashed, then served on a pre-loaded spoon. A squat, tomato-shaped type (such as Fuyu) that is still firm can be steamed until soft. An acorn-shaped type (such as Hachiya) should wait until it is very soft.

Size: Peeled wedges about the size of an adult finger, roughly 6–8 cm long and 2 cm wide (2½–3 × ¾ in), or mashed.
Check before serving: Squash a wedge between your thumb and finger. It should flatten easily. If you have to press hard, wait until it ripens (or steam it until soft if it's a squat type).

US and UK advice differ here. The AAP suggests mashed food or soft pieces no larger than ½ inch; the NHS suggests soft finger-sized pieces your baby can hold in their fist. Both agree the food must squash easily.

Always have your child sit upright in a high chair or at the table, and stay with them the whole time they eat. Keep to the size and texture for their stage. Every baby develops on their own timeline.

How to prepare persimmon

1
Choose a persimmon that is fully ripe. Acorn-shaped types (such as Hachiya) are ready only when very soft, almost like jelly. Squat, tomato-shaped types (such as Fuyu) can stay firm, so let them soften at room temperature or cook them.
2
Rinse it under running water, gently rubbing the skin, before you peel it.
3
Cut off the leafy top, peel off the skin, and take out any seeds.
4
Cut the flesh into thick wedges (6 months) or small pieces (9 months+), or scoop and mash very soft fruit. If pieces of a squat type don't pass the squash test, steam them for a few minutes until soft, and let them cool. A firm acorn-shaped type isn't ripe yet: wait. Don't add sugar.

How much to offer

Start with one or two soft wedges, or a teaspoon or two of mash. Your baby decides how much to eat: stop when they turn away or close their mouth. A baby-sized portion as part of a varied diet is plenty.

Common mistakes

Serving unripe persimmon

Unripe persimmon is firm and tastes very dry and bitter. Wait until it's fully ripe and soft. A firm squat type (such as Fuyu) can also be steamed until it squashes easily.

Leaving the skin on

The skin is tougher than the flesh. Peel it for babies and young toddlers: taking the skin off makes it easier to swallow.

Missing the seeds

Some persimmons have hard seeds. Cut the fruit open and take out every seed before serving.

Giving dried persimmon

Dried persimmon is chewy and sticky. The NHS says not to give whole dried fruit to babies under 1. Use fresh, ripe persimmon instead.

Where US and UK guidance differ on persimmon

United States(AAP and CDC)Your setting

The AAP advises cooking most fruit until soft before 12 months, except mashed banana, and lists fruit chunks among foods to avoid under 1. If you follow US advice, mash very ripe persimmon, or steam a squat type until soft.

United Kingdom(NHS)Your setting

The NHS lists slices of soft fruit as finger foods from around 6 months, and suggests steaming or simmering firm fruit for very young children. Use raw persimmon only when it's fully ripe, peeled, with the seeds out, and passes the squash test.

We cover US and UK guidance in detail. Elsewhere, check your national health service's advice too.

Questions parents ask

Can persimmon be a choking hazard for babies?

Ripe, soft persimmon is easy for babies to manage, but firm or unripe persimmon can break off in hard pieces, and the seeds are hard. The CDC lists pieces of hard raw fruit as foods to avoid. Use only persimmon that squashes easily between your fingers, peel it, take out the seeds, and stay with your child during meals.

Can babies be allergic to persimmon?

Persimmon is not a common allergen.

Is persimmon healthy for babies?

Japanese persimmon gives vitamin A (from beta-carotene), fiber and some vitamin C: about 81 µg of vitamin A, 3.6 g of fiber and 7.5 mg of vitamin C per 100 g. It is not a major source of iron.

How do I know when a persimmon is ripe?

Acorn-shaped persimmons are ripe when they're very soft, almost like a water balloon. Squat, tomato-shaped persimmons can be eaten firm by adults, but for babies, wait until they give when you press them, or cook them soft. Always do the squash test.

Do I need to peel persimmon for my baby?

Yes, for babies and young toddlers. The NHS suggests removing the skin on fruit because it makes it easier to swallow. The skin of unripe persimmons is also high in tannins, the substance that makes them taste dry.

Can persimmons cause tummy problems?

Rarely. Eating a lot of persimmons, especially unripe ones with the skin on, has been linked in case reports to bezoars: a firm ball of fruit fiber that forms in the stomach. Most reports are in older adults or people with stomach problems. Serving ripe, peeled persimmon in baby-sized portions, as part of a varied diet, keeps it simple.

If your baby refuses persimmon

Many babies need 10 or more tries before they accept a new food. Keep offering it alongside foods they already like.
Try a different form: mash instead of wedges, or persimmon stirred into oatmeal or yogurt.
Eat some yourself at the same meal. Babies copy what they see.
Funny faces don't mean they dislike it. They're getting used to a new taste and texture.

Never force or pressure your baby to eat. Some days they'll eat more, some days less, and that's normal.

Buying and storing persimmon

Ripen firm persimmons at room temperature. Once soft, keep them in the fridge and use them within a few days, and refrigerate any cut persimmon.
Cut or cooked persimmon keeps for 3 to 4 days in a covered container in the fridge.
Mashed persimmon can be frozen in small portions and used within 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge and use it within 24 hours of thawing.
Throw away any food left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if it's hotter than 90°F / 32°C).

When to talk to your doctor

Contact your pediatrician, GP or health visitor if:

You notice mild signs of an allergic reaction after eating, such as a few hives or a little vomiting. See signs of a reaction.
You're worried about how much your baby eats, their growth, or they refuse most solid food for weeks.

Call 911999your local emergency number (such as 112 in Europe or 000 in Australia) now if your baby has trouble breathing, wheezing, can't cough or cry, has lips, mouth, tongue or throat that suddenly swell, or becomes pale, bluish, floppy or unresponsive. Also call if hives come with repeated vomiting.

Offered persimmon?

Add it to your first 100 foods.

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