Just Fruits and Exotics has some nice pictures.

Here is a link that might be useful: persimmon pictures

Fuyu and Jiro have flat bottomed fruit, not cone shaped. Hachiya are cone shaped, and quite large, and common in the trade. They are astringent.

Finally broke down and called the nursery where I purchased the tree. Took one over to him and we figured out that it is a Tanenashi! He called the place he buys his seedling trees from and was surprised that they suggested this var. since they have never 'had' it on their lot. It is definitely astringent, It's average is about 6" long.. It was suggested that I pick the fruit when they are orange/red and put each one in a freezer bag. Then when I remove them they will be sweet but very mushie.. Ok for cooking and eating with a spoon... Has anyone used this system??

I guess I will be buying another tree...

Queenbee

If the fruit is astringent, red, and excellent flavor, then it is probably Hachiya.

If it is the worst kaki you have ever tasted, then it is probably Tanenashi.

Benny

Thanks Benny.. I will be able to tell by Friday. The information I have read says it's very sweet..

Well, my persimmons are picked and I have placed them into the freezer--one to a qt. zip-lock bags.. Two were perfectly ripe and they are delicious. They are very sweet but pudding like... Nothing like the Fuyu, I thought I had purchased... There were 59 huge fruits on this (in the ground 2yr)tree... I will be purchasing another Fuyu (hopefully) persimmon, in hopes I will have one to eat fresh--- WITHOUT a spoon. I have decided this is a Hachyia.. Thank you for your help...

I'm sure someone else can confirm this or correct me, but I believe slightly under-ripe astringent kakis like you describe are just what you want for dehydrating, and that dehydrating removes the astringency. I don't suppose it would work out of the freezer, because they'd need to still be firm enough to slice, but at least it might be something you can do next year. The one thing I do know is that I received some dehydrated Asian persimmons as a gift from a friend once and they were an absolutely top notch dried fruit, really, really good. I haven't had dried papaya in years, but that's what it reminded me of.

cousinfloyd, once the persimmon thaw then it will be too mushy for drying. You just scoop the meat out with a spoon and enjoy the sweet treat.