As most Ozarkers know, to eat a persimmon before it's ripe is to learn the true meaning of "pucker up." How do you know when they're ripe? Bruce says it takes a good freeze to make them sweet. When ripe, they're delicious raw or in jams, puddings, or purees, or baked in breads and other goods. Note: The genus name, Diospyros, means "food of the gods."