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How to check persimmons for bugs

Does it need checking? Persimmons are not commonly infested in the USA. In Israel there are two kinds: not commonly infested, or sometimes infested on the outside. Persimmons are among the fruits that are sometimes infested and need checking. (Rav Moshe Vaya)

Rav Vaya’s rating

USA✓not commonly infested (muchzak k’naki)
Israel✓ ☆two kinds (e.g. wild vs. cultivated, local vs. imported): ✓ not commonly infested / ☆ sometimes infested on the outside

Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, Degree of Infestation chart, p. 936 (Persimon)

Which bugs

  • White maggots. Look for them under a black spot on the skin. (Rav Moshe Vaya)

How to check

  1. Remove the leaf cap around the stem and wash the fruit well.
  2. If the fruit is very soft, check it inside.
  3. If there is a black spot on the skin, peel at that spot and look for white maggots.
  4. Small black dots in the flesh are not a sign of infestation. (Rav Moshe Vaya)

Sources

  • Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, Degree of Infestation chart, p. 936 (rating).
  • Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha: summary sheet “Tu BiShvat Without Worms: All the Fruits and How to Check Them” (published by Machon Aliya).
  • Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha: summary sheet “Washing Fruits and Vegetables” (published by Machon Aliya).
  • cRc: Dried persimmons, with no added flavors and not from Israel, do not need to be checked for insect infestation. (Fruits & Vegetables Checking Guide)

Related

References: cRc — Fruits & Vegetables Checking Guide · Rav Moshe Vaya — “Tu BiShvat Without Worms: All the Fruits and How to Check Them” (Machon Aliya, Hebrew) · Rav Moshe Vaya — “Washing Fruits and Vegetables” (Machon Aliya, Hebrew)

Source: Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, p. 936