Provided is a method of storing persimmons comprising the step of exposing persimmons to an atmosphere that contains a cyclopropene compound, wherein either (a) the persimmons are in a modified-atmosphere package during exposure to the cyclopropene compound, or (b) the persimmons are placed into a modified-atmosphere package after exposure to the cyclopropene compound, and the persimmons remain in the modified atmosphere package for at least two hours. In some embodiments, the modified-atmosphere package is constructed so that the transmission rate of oxygen for the entire package is from 200 to 40,000 cubic centimeters per day per kilogram of persimmons.
