How different our tastebuds can be.

I don't taste pumpkin flavours nor cinnamon naturally in fresh whole persimmons.

Just make sure you buy/eat them when they are nice soft and very ripe. So that it will lessen the astringent flavour/puckerish taste. I've seen recipes for persimmon bread, cookies, squares and cakes.

I've seen them often enough in major mainstream supermarket chains around this time, where I've lived for the past 15-20 yrs. here in Canada (Toronto, Vancouveer),...including Calgary.

Another fruit I haven't quite figured out to eat properly or eat good ones are cactus pears.