A simple 5 ingredient persimmon vanilla bean smoothie. It’s the best way to use those in-season persimmons and it’s healthy!
Can I tell you something that annoys the hell out of me?
(You actually have no choice in the matter here, sorry.)
Excuse makers.
Oh MY god, I cannot stand when people talk about “wanting” to do something and then rattle off every excuse under the sun as to why they can’t.
It just drives me mad. Woe-is-me’ers get absolutely no sympathy from me. None.
Grab life by the balls, people and if you want to do something, then DO it. Please don’t talk about why you can’t.
All those excuses may even be true, but you’ll get absolutely nowhere rattling them off to anyone that’ll listen and convincing yourself that that’s why you’re not succeeding at something.
I had one too many interactions with a few of “those” types over the past week including one with a person in the grocery store bitching on her cell phone to someone about how hard it was to stick to her New Year’s resolution and why she wasn’t going to be successful at it.
I may have stood next to her, putting avocados into a plastic bag and given her a disgusted look.
And by may, I mean I did.
She also happened to be standing over the persimmons.
Which is how all this is related (although, the relevance ends there).
I just felt way more compelled to talk about that instead of persimmons, vanilla beans and almond milk.
This persimmon smoothie is good, no doubt, but I get much more passionate about excuse makers than smoothies in real life.
As for persimmons, I love them.
When ripe, they’re one of the few fruits I can eat alone and actually consider “dessert” (warm it up with a spoonful of coconut cream and omg…).
Or, stuff them with cinnamon and nuts to make a dessert stuffed persimmon!
The cool thing about them is that they’re gel-like and goopy in this weird way that when you blend them into a smoothie, you get the perfect texture going on without having to add any weird congealing agents.
Flavored with some real vanilla beans, this smoothie tastes way more delicious than you’d think from its list of 5 ingredients.
This persimmon coconut smoothie is another great way to enjoy this winter fruit in smoothie form too!
Difference in Persimmons
Persimmons can be annoying to deal with because you have to wait until they’re completely ripe (like to the point where they’re almost a pile of mush) before eating them if you buy the hachiya type, but they’re worth it.
I talk all about the difference between hachiya and fuyu in this persimmon jam recipe if you’re curious. It’s worth knowing the difference, believe me!
I promise.
Don’t let me catch you making any excuses as to why you can’t make this.
Is Persimmon a Healthy Fruit?
Persimmons are actually a great source of fiber, which helps with blood sugar levels and digestion. They are also filled with Vitamin C and antioxidants.
You can also get over half of the recommended daily value of Vitamin A in just one serving.
While persimmons are packed with nutrition, they are a little high in natural sugar, so you know everything in moderation, right?
What You Need for the Best Easy Persimmon Smoothie
- Hachiya Persimmon – it’s the oblong shaped one rather than the shorter round one and you want it to be very ripe
- vanilla bean
- coconut cream – from a can
- vanilla almond milk
- cinnamon
- handful of ice cubes
Check out our guide on how to make smoothies for more add-in ideas.
How To Make a Smoothie with Hachiya Persimmons
Start by cutting the top off of the persimmon. Scoop out the flesh and add it to your blender.
Scrape the seeds out of the vanilla bean, then toss it into the blender.
Pour in the coconut cream, almond milk, cinnamon, and ice cubes. Blend until it’s smooth.
Then serve in your favorite glass topped with extra cinnamon for garnish.
What Can I Do with Persimmon Fruit?
As I mentioned earlier, persimmons make a great roasted dessert. They also pair well with pork dishes, so if you have a pork recipe that calls for apples, you can swap those for persimmons instead.
You can add persimmons to smoothie or yogurt bowls, which adds flavor like no other fruit!
Below you will see some of my other favorite recipes that I go back to when I have extra persimmons that I need to get rid of.
More Ways to Use Up Persimmons:
Persimmon Vanilla Bean Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 very ripe Hachiya persimmon, the oblong shaped one rather than the shorter round one
- 1/4 vanilla bean
- 2 tablespoons coconut cream from a can
- 1 cup vanilla almond milk
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- handful of ice cubes
Instructions
- Cut the top off of the persimmon and scoop the flesh out into a blender.
- Scrape the seeds of the 1/4 vanilla bean out and into the blender.
- Add remaining ingredients to blender and blend until smooth.
- Garnish with extra cinnamon.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Gahhhh I HATE those people too!! They make me want to get all obnoxious and start asking them “But, why? Like give me a really good excuse WHY can you not do x, y or z??” and “Ok, so that approach doesn’t work, how about you try something different BEFORE YOU JUST GIVE UP!” Lol! Frustrates the crap out of me! I understand that some days are a bust and no one is perfect but a defeatist attitude really gets my goat! Luke is pretty much one of those people although he would call it realism! Def butted heads a few times on that front! Ooosh, thanks for letting me rant! Haha! Smoothie looks DELISH! Lol!
Um, what is a persimmon? It looks like a tomato!! (I’m ignorant). Love the color though!
Yup, no excuses as to why I can’t make this! Love persimmons too. And I agree with you–they’re one of the few fruits I consider dessert. Never thought to heat it up, will try that too.
I read a persimmon oatmeal cookie from happyolks and decided to make it. I was in heaven after I nibbled on a fresh persimmon as I have never had it before. It was still firm but it was already good! I still have two left and will make sure to let one turn almost to mush to see the difference. The other one might go in a smoothie! Uh, definitely no to xanthan over here too!
Ah, I’ve never had persimmon either! I know, crazy. I think I need to change that. I love smoothies and knowing that a persimmon can go in a smoothie, in instantly intrigued.
Confession: I have never tried a persimmon. (pause for reaction). I guess I never really knew what they were supposed to taste like, and how to tell when it’s OK to buy them or when they’re ripe. A-HA! But in smoothie mode, I’m sure it would be hella tasty. I’m with you on the woe-is-me’ers. I used to be one of them and I’m guilty of reverting to that from time-to-time, but then I realize I’m being an ass and snap out of it ;)
Love the combination of persimmon’s and coconut, all the good one’s have disappeared from the shops, only left with the tough short fat ones…man I wish I had of made a smoothie while I had an overload of them! Delicious recipe!
I love persimmons. So excited they’re in season again. btw – you know how i feel about the excuse people too ;) and how i feel about setting yourself up for failure…like saying you’re not going to succeed – is that really motivating? I think not…
I once bought a persimmon a few months back. They were sampling them at the grocery store and were on sale so i bought one. From your picture yours look a little different then mine. I should try them again. Thanks for the recipe!
There are 2 types of persimmon. the ones in the picture are actually NOT the ones I used in the smoothie. There are the short fat ones (pictured) and then the longer, oblong shaped ones which are what I used (and noted) in the recipe. I prefer the oblong ones as they get riper and sweeter in my opinion :)
Good to know. Thanks. Do you peel yours? The woman at the store said you could eat the skin. After I did I thought that was not too smart as they were not organic. Oh well I am still kicking around :)
I had people that bitch about what they can’t do, but I’m probably one of them! It’s the Hubby that holds me back!! Your smoothie sounds good! Wish I has some persimmons! I haven’t noticed them at the grocery store.