It's persimmon season on Maui and the maru variety is being seen at the Saturday farmers' markets at Kapi'olani Community College and Mililani High School, as well as at Made in Hawaii Foods in Pearl City. Don Akiyama of Made in Hawaii said brown flecks on the skin of the maru variety are actually pockets of sugar and the persimmons need to be cured before they're eaten, to remove what Japanese call "shibu," or astringency. (To cure a persimmon, place in a plastic bag for 24 hours with some dry ice). Be sure to ask sellers if the persimmons have been cured.

Elsewhere, the more common fuyu persimmons are beginning to be seen in supermarkets; they don't need curing.

SPECIALTY TEA CAFE TO OPEN AT ALA MOANA

The Pacific Place Tea Garden Cafe will open in early November at Ala Moana Center on the third level, makai side overlooking Centerstage (we're going to need a new directory to keep up with all the new restaurants and such at Ala Moana!). You may recognize the name Pacific Place from specialty teas served in such spots as the Kahala Mandarin Oriental, Sheraton Moana Surfrider and Halekulani. Owner Lynette Jee is also a popular lecturer on tea.

The new cafe will offer teas, sandwiches, pastries and cookies and various combination tea services, such as Gung Fu, with rare Chinese teas and Asian-style pastries and sandwiches, or Malama Tea Service, with locally blended teas accompanied by Island fruit and pastries. In the late afternoon, there will be iced tea and appetizers and in the evening, a full dessert and tea bar.