Cheongdo bansi (flat seedless persimmons) account for 20% of the total persimmon output nationwide, and the name (bansi) is derived from the fact that it is round and flat in shape just like a tray (ban is the Chinese character for dining table or tray). Story has it that Ho Park, who was mayor of Uljin County during the rule of King Myeongjong (Joseon Dynasty), brought a persimmon branch from Uljin to Cheongdo inside a radish so that it would stay fresh and planted it. That is how the Cheongdo persimmons came into being.

Cheongdo-gun (county) is a rural agricultural area located in the southern most part of Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. From days of old, Cheongdo has been known for its luscious mountains, clear water, and good people. It has a tradition of having many honest scholars, and is the home of loyalty and filial piety that has historically produced many loyal subjects, martyrs, and faithful sons and daughters. Located in a relatively medium-range basin in the Southern region of Korea, Cheongdo is good for harvesting fruit including its seedless persimmons (which have a higher sugar content than those grown in other regions) and peaches. Using its seedless persimmons, Cheongdo also produces iced persimmon where fully ripe persimmons are taken whole and frozen naturally — they are a hugely popular treat in the hot summer.

The Hwarang Spirit, the core of our traditional and national spirit, and the Saemael Movement, which was the cornerstone of Korea’s modernization, both started in Cheongdo. The area is also home to ancient cultural relics which show a once glorious civilization. Recently, there have been efforts to create a tourist attraction out of the traditional bull fights, which were originally part of our agricultural folk heritage. The resulting bull fight festival is now recognized as a world-class cultural festival for tourists.
Cheongdo bansi was served to kings of Korea because it is seedless. Due to the topography, Cheongdo has regular fog with 30 more foggy days than average. Experts say that the persimmons do not have seeds because of the climate conditions in the region which causes many female flowers to grow relative to the number of male flowers. Recently, Cheongdo flat seedless persimmons have received more attention because of persimmon wine. The wine is a white wine but has the puckery taste of red wine. In a sense, persimmon wine gives you a unique taste which combines with tastes of both white and red wine. The place where persimmon wine is aged also interesting: an old wine tunnel completed in 1904Cheongdo persimmon wine.
According to Boncho bihyo, an ancient book on oriental herbal medicine, persimmons were used to treat blood clots, lung fever, coughing up blood, twisted intestines, and hemorrhoids. Rich in vitamin C, persimmons are not only good for preventing colds during the change of seasons, but also for preventing epidemics and enhancing eye health.

One persimmon is enough to meet the vitamin A and C daily intake requirements. Compared to other fruits, persimmons are low in protein, fat, carbohydrates, ash, phosphoric acid, and iron content but rich in potassium which means taking a persimmon can temporarily lower your body temperature. The citric acid contained in persimmons cleans the urine and strengthens muscle elasticity, making the persimmon a useful fruit for those living the modern urban life style. Moreover, persimmons are known to contain components that are good for hangovers, stroke, high blood pressure, and arteriosclerosis.


Persimmons contain much carotene which shares the efficacy of vitamin A: results show that more than 400 IU of carotene is contained in every 100g of persimmon.
Vitamin A is a nutrient that helps enhance resistance against disease and makes your skin stronger and more elastic. In the case of vitamin C, one persimmon contains about 30mg which is six-fold higher than that of apples. On the other hand, persimmons are not as sour as other fruit. Only 0.2% of citric acid and malic acid, which are the organic acids that give a sour taste, are contained in one persimmon.