The most common way to eat persimmons is to peel them and eat them raw, and if they are pesticide-free, they may be tasted with the skin. Hard persimmons are ripened at room temperature to bring out their sweetness, and some people freeze them to enjoy the new texture after thawing. Persimmons are also useful as a cooking ingredient, and are used in salads and desserts. Dried persimmons are also used as a preserved food.