Fruit is one of East Asia's best

Orange, hamburger-shaped and delicious, persimmons beckon from almost every food stall and shop in Beijing these days.

The persimmon season is at its peak in the capital and there's no better time to appreciate one of East Asia's finest native fruits.

There are three types of persimmons available in Beijing. The hard, light orange ones with the same crisp texture as a pear or an apple. The soft, dark orange ones that are much sweeter and juicier and have the stringy texture of an over-ripe tomato. And, when winter comes, frozen persimmons preserve a taste of fall for those who don't mind eating frosty snacks when the temperatures are bone-chillingly low.