Persimmons remind me of my childhood.  It is commonly eaten in homes of asian families.  As my mom is from Taiwan, it was a common fruit that we ate in the fall when it was available.  I was extremely happy to find that it can be grown in our area of the southeast.  According to wikipedia, the persimmon is the edible fruit of a number of species of trees in the genus Diospyros in the ebony wood family (Ebenaceae).  I purchased a non-astrigent cultivar called Fuyu.  I will be planting it shortly (when I find a suitable spot) in our backyard.  This persimmon will add to the growing edible landscaping here at the yardstead.