STAR-BULLETIN New Hashimoto Farm products include persimmon jelly, butter, salad dressing and scone mix, and dried persimmons.

Maui persimmons take new forms

Hashimoto Persimmon Farm in Kula, Maui, has added a new line of products, and will offer samples of Persimmon Jam, Persimmon Butter, Persimmon Salad Dressing and Persimmon Scone Mix during a visit to Oahu Saturday.

Tastings will take place from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Kapiolani Community College Farmers Market, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ward Warehouse Executive Chef, and from 3 to 5 p.m. at Made in Hawaii Foods in Pearl City. Fourth-generation farmers Clark and Jackie Hashimoto will also share their fresh and sun-dried persimmons (kaki).

The visit will give Oahu consumers the opportunity to try the "maru" persimmon -- an astringent variety brought in from Japan in the early 1900s. The curing process that elicits a sweeter taste takes place on the farm before the fruit goes to market.

Stores that carry the new products include Executive Chef, Diamond Head Market & Grill, R. Field Wine Co., Island Keepsakes, Made in Hawaii Foods and the Cottage in Windward Mall and Kailua.

For more information, call Hashimoto Persimmon Farm, (808) 878-1461.

Caffeine and beer

Stimulants and depressants -- why not combine them into one drinking experience?

Kona Brewing Co. presents beer made with Kona coffee, the brewery's first limited-release bottling. Pipeline Porter will be available in stores through February, after which the company will release a spring-summer beer.

Pipeline Porter is a dark beer with a mild coffee flavor, made with Kona beans grown on the Cornwell Estate, a family-owned farm near the Kailua-Kona brewery.

By the way, the Kona Coffee Festival takes place next month. For details, see "Morsels" on Page D4.