Persimmon story
The fruit that frightened a tiger
A Korean folktale gives dried persimmons a surprising role.
Why a bite can feel dry
Tannins in astringent persimmons bind proteins in the mouth, causing a dry, puckering sensation.
White sugar on dried fruit
The pale coating on many dried persimmons is sugar that migrated and crystallized on the surface.
A tiger and a dried persimmon
In a folktale, a tiger mistakes the name of a dried persimmon for something more frightening than itself.