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A persimmon is a sweet, orange autumn fruit that is notably rich in fiber: one medium Japanese persimmon has about 118 calories, 6 grams of fiber (22% of the Daily Value) and about 15% of the Daily Value for vitamin A, plus manganese and copper, according to USDA data. Persimmon benefits are mostly about that nutrient profile, because research on eating the fruit itself is thin. There is also one real caution: the tannins in persimmons can, in rare cases, clump into a hard mass in the stomach called a bezoar, mostly in older adults or people who have had stomach surgery. Below are the USDA persimmon nutrition facts, Fuyu vs Hachiya persimmon, dried persimmon, the research and the bezoar facts.
Peptide Labs does not sell persimmons or persimmon products. This article is general nutrition information, not medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- One medium Japanese persimmon (168 g) has about 118 calories, 6 grams of fiber and 21 grams of natural sugar in USDA data.
- The same fruit supplies about 15% of the Daily Value for vitamin A, 26% for manganese and 21% for copper.
- Fuyu persimmons are eaten firm; Hachiya persimmons are astringent until very soft and ripe.
- Dried persimmon is concentrated: far more calories and fiber per gram, and no vitamin C in USDA data.
- Persimmon bezoars are rare, but case reports keep appearing, mostly in older adults and people with past stomach surgery or diabetes.
Persimmon nutrition per fruit
The table uses the USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy entry for raw Japanese persimmons (FDC 169941), the Diospyros kaki species sold in most US stores, converted to USDA’s portion weight for one fruit about 2.5 inches across (168 grams). The percent Daily Value (%DV) uses the FDA Daily Values printed on Nutrition Facts labels.
| Nutrient (raw Japanese persimmon) | 1 fruit (168 g) | % DV | Per 100 g | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 118 | Not applicable | 70 | Not applicable |
| Carbohydrate | 31.2 g | 11% | 18.6 g | 7% |
| Fiber | 6.0 g | 22% | 3.6 g | 13% |
| Total sugars | 21.1 g | No DV | 12.5 g | No DV |
| Protein | 1.0 g | 2% | 0.6 g | 1% |
| Vitamin A | 136 mcg RAE | 15% | 81 mcg RAE | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 12.6 mg | 14% | 7.5 mg | 8% |
| Manganese | 0.60 mg | 26% | 0.36 mg | 15% |
| Copper | 0.19 mg | 21% | 0.11 mg | 13% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.17 mg | 10% | 0.10 mg | 6% |
| Vitamin E | 1.2 mg | 8% | 0.7 mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 270 mg | 6% | 161 mg | 3% |
Fiber is the headline. Six grams in one fruit is more than an apple or a banana provides in USDA data, which is why persimmon is a strong pick for anyone working through our list of fiber-rich foods. The orange color comes from carotenoid pigments that the body can convert to vitamin A, a topic covered in our guide to carotenoids and vitamin A. Manganese and copper round out the profile; our copper guide explains what that trace mineral does. Vitamin C is modest in the Japanese persimmon, which surprises people who expect every orange fruit to be a citrus-level source.
Fuyu vs Hachiya persimmon, and the American persimmon
Most persimmons in US supermarkets are one of two types of Japanese persimmon. The Fuyu persimmon is squat and tomato-shaped and is eaten while still firm and crisp, like an apple. The Hachiya persimmon is taller and acorn-shaped and is astringent, with a dry, mouth-puckering taste, until it ripens to a very soft, jelly-like texture. That astringency comes from tannins. USDA does not list the two varieties separately, so the table above covers both.
The American, or native, persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) grows wild in the eastern US. It is a much smaller fruit, about 25 grams each in USDA data, and its SR Legacy entry is incomplete, with no fiber or sugar values. What it does list is striking: about 66 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams, around 73% of the FDA Daily Value, roughly nine times the figure for the Japanese persimmon.
| Per 100 g (USDA FDC ID) | Calories | Fiber | Vitamin C (% DV) | Vitamin A (% DV) | Potassium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese persimmon, raw (169941) | 70 | 3.6 g | 7.5 mg (8%) | 81 mcg RAE (9%) | 161 mg |
| Japanese persimmon, dried (169942) | 274 | 14.5 g | 0 mg (0%) | 38 mcg RAE (4%) | 802 mg |
| American persimmon, raw (169943) | 127 | Not reported | 66 mg (73%) | Not reported | 310 mg |
Persimmon calories and sugar compared with other fruits
A whole persimmon is a larger fruit than many people realize, so per-fruit calories and sugar are on the higher side, but fiber is high too. Our guide to fruit sugar levels places berries at the low end and tropical fruits higher. The table compares typical USDA servings.
| Fruit (USDA FDC ID) | Serving | Calories | Fiber | Total sugars | Vitamin C (% DV) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese persimmon (169941) | 1 fruit, 168 g | 118 | 6.0 g | 21.1 g | 12.6 mg (14%) |
| Apple with skin (171688) | 1 medium, 182 g | 95 | 4.4 g | 18.9 g | 8 mg (9%) |
| Banana (173944) | 1 medium, 118 g | 105 | 3.1 g | 14.4 g | 10 mg (11%) |
| Mango (169910) | 1 cup pieces, 165 g | 99 | 2.6 g | 22.5 g | 60 mg (67%) |
| Strawberries (167762) | 1 cup whole, 144 g | 46 | 2.9 g | 7.0 g | 85 mg (94%) |
Persimmon and mango carry similar sugar per serving, but persimmon has more than twice the fiber. Strawberries are the lighter option if sugar is your main concern. Our low glycemic foods guide explains why fiber-rich whole fruit behaves differently from juice, and people managing diabetes should ask their clinician or dietitian how persimmon fits their plan.
Dried persimmon
Dried persimmon, made in Japan as hoshigaki and in Korea as gotgam, removes most of the water and concentrates everything else. In USDA data one dried fruit (34 grams) has about 93 calories, 4.9 grams of fiber (18% of the Daily Value) and about a fifth of the Daily Value for manganese. The SR Legacy entry lists no vitamin C at all and does not report sugars, so the label on any packaged product is the place to check. Like raisins and prunes, dried persimmon is an energy-dense way to get fiber, and one of the bezoar case reports below involved a habit of eating dried persimmons.
Persimmon benefits: what the research shows
Trials of whole persimmon as a food are scarce. Most of the research uses extracts, and those are not the same thing as eating the fruit.
- Leaf extract (2025 meta-analysis): pooling 16 randomized trials with 1,572 patients, researchers reported lower cholesterol and triglycerides when persimmon leaf extract was added to other therapy in adults with lipid disorders. The extract came from leaves, the trials were drawn largely from Chinese databases, and the extract was combined with other care.
- Fruit extract (2024): a double-blind trial in 71 adults with overweight tested a standardized persimmon fruit extract supplement against placebo for about four months and measured body composition. It was a single small trial of a concentrated extract, not of the fruit.
- Lab studies: persimmon tannins and carotenoids are studied as antioxidants, mainly in lab and animal work, which is why persimmon appears in roundups of antioxidant-rich foods.
The honest summary is that persimmon is a fiber-rich fruit with useful amounts of vitamin A, manganese and copper. Claims that it controls cholesterol or blood sugar go beyond the evidence and cannot replace care from a clinician.
Persimmon bezoars: the caution worth knowing
A bezoar is a hard mass of undigested material that forms in the stomach or intestine. A persimmon bezoar, called a diospyrobezoar, forms from persimmon tannins together with fiber and other undigested food. A 2026 case report described tannin-rich persimmons as known to form bezoars that can cause stomach ulcers and intestinal blockage, and a 2025 report removed a mass that was more than 98% tannin.
- Who is affected: case reports describe people with risk factors such as past stomach surgery, diabetes or advanced age. Recent cases include a 93-year-old man who ate persimmons daily, an 83-year-old woman with past stomach surgery and a habit of eating dried persimmons, and an 88-year-old woman whose bezoar contained more than ten persimmon seeds.
- How it shows up: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and feeling full quickly. Several cases needed endoscopy or surgery after other approaches failed.
- How rare: bezoars are uncommon, and most people eat persimmons without any problem. The cases are a reason for extra care in higher-risk groups, not a reason for everyone to avoid the fruit.
- Practical points: if you have had stomach surgery, have diabetes or are older, ask your clinician whether persimmons, especially dried ones, suit you. Chewing well and not swallowing seeds is sensible for anyone. Repeated vomiting, worsening abdominal pain or inability to keep food down needs prompt medical care.
If constipation is the concern rather than a blockage, our fiber and constipation guide explains why fluids matter when fiber intake goes up. Persimmon is not one of the nine major food allergens that US labels must declare, so anyone who reacts needs to read ingredient lists. For a summer fruit with a very different profile, see our sibling guide to lychee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main persimmon benefits?
USDA data show persimmon is high in fiber and supplies vitamin A, manganese and copper. Research on eating the fruit itself is limited; most studies use extracts.
How many calories are in a persimmon?
About 118 calories in one medium Japanese persimmon of 168 grams, in USDA data.
What is the difference between Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons?
Fuyu persimmons are squat and eaten firm. Hachiya persimmons are acorn-shaped and taste astringent until they are very soft and fully ripe.
Is dried persimmon healthy?
It is rich in fiber and minerals but much more calorie-dense than fresh fruit, and USDA lists no vitamin C in dried persimmon. Check the label for added sugar.
Can persimmons cause a stomach blockage?
Rarely. Persimmon tannins can form a bezoar, mostly in older adults or people with past stomach surgery or diabetes. Vomiting or worsening abdominal pain needs medical care.
Is persimmon good for constipation?
Persimmon is high in fiber, which supports regular bowel habits as part of a fiber-rich diet with enough fluids. People at risk of bezoars should ask their clinician first.
Questions about a label? Contact us or read our Buyer’s Guide. Food comes first; follow the label and ask a healthcare provider before starting a supplement, especially if you take medicines, are pregnant or have a food allergy. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Related guides: Lychee: USDA Nutrition, Calories, Benefits and Safety Facts, High Fiber Foods: USDA List of Fruits, Vegetables, Beans and Grains, Beta-Carotene: Foods, Vitamin A Conversion and the Smoker Trials.