pucker, preoccupied with, underripe, ripen

China Ripens Late for Apple

IPhone 5's arrival in China is a big win for the country's smartphone buyers. But it also underlines a challenge for Apple.

TAIWAN’S president, Ma Ying-jeou, facing an unexpectedly tough battle for re-election in January, has been devoting unusual attention to the woes of the island’s persimmon farmers. Handling relations with China has often been the most bitterly contested issue in Taiwanese politics. But with cross-strait relations now much improved and worries about the island’s economy growing, Taiwan’s political focus has shifted. China too, though concerned that the relatively conciliatory Mr Ma might lose, appears preoccupied with affairs at home.




柿http://www.answers.com/topic/persimmonPersimmon
[puhr-SIHM-muhn] The most widely available persimmon in the United States is the Hachiya, also called Japanese persimmon and kaki. It's large (up to 3 inches in diameter) and round, with a slightly elongated, pointed base. The Fuyu persimmon is smaller and more tomato-shaped. When ripe, both have a red-orange skin and flesh. The Hachiya is quite soft when completely ripe and has a smooth, creamy texture and a tangy-sweet flavor. If eaten even slightly underripe, it will pucker the mouth with an incredible astringency. The Fuyu, however, is still firm when ripe and is not at all astringent. Sharon fruit is a sweet, round Israeli persimmon that can be eaten slightly underripe. It's found in Europe and the Middle East. Persimmons are available from October to February. Choose fruit that is plump and soft but not mushy (the Fuyu should be quite firm). The skin should be smooth, glossy and brightly colored. Persimmons that are not quite ripe can be ripened at room temperature. Store ripe fruit in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Persimmons can be used in baked goods, puddings and other desserts, as well as eaten out of hand. They contain a good amount of vitamin A and some vitamin C.

pucker	(verb) To gather something into small wrinkles or folds.
Synonyms:	cockle, rumple, crumple, knit
Usage:	She puckered her lips and kissed him on the nose. ripe 音節 ripe 発音 ráip レベル 大学入試程度 ripeの慣用句 be ripe for the picking, （全1件） [形]（rip・er, rip・est） 1 〈果物・穀物などが〉熟した, 実った；〈チーズなどが〉食べごろの；〈酒が〉熟成した a ripe cluster of grapes 熟した1房のブドウ (as) ripe as a cherry 熟しきった［て］. 2 〈唇などが〉赤くふっくらした. 3 〈精神・人などが〉（…の点で）円熟した((in ...)) He is ripe in the business. その仕事に熟達している. 4 〈年齢・時期が〉熟した, 男［女］盛りの；老齢の a man of ripe(r) years ((おどけて))男盛りの人 He died at the ripe (old) age of eighty. 80歳という高齢で死んだ. 5 （…する）機が熟した, 準備の整った((for ..., to do)) a daughter ripe for marriage 結婚適齢期の娘 The time is ripe for ［to initiate］ a drastic reform. 今こそ思い切った改革に手をつける好機だ. 6 化膿した. 7 ((俗))いやらしい. 8 くさい. be ripe for the picking ［plucking］ 簡単に手にはいる, 楽勝である. ripe・ly [副] ripe・ness [名] ripen   音節 rip • en 発音 ráipən レベル 社会人必須 ripenの変化形 ripened (過去形) • ripened (過去分詞) • ripening (現在分詞) • ripens (三人称単数現在) [動](自) 1 〈果物・穀物などが〉熟する, 実る. 2 〈人などが〉（…に）円熟する；〈状態などが〉（…に）発達する((into ...))；〈時機などが〉熟する The faculty of thinking ripens with the body. 思考能力は肉体の成長とともに発達する. ━━(他)…を熟させる. ripen 音節 rip • en 発音 ráipən レベル 社会人必須 ripenの変化形 ripened (過去形) • ripened (過去分詞) • ripening (現在分詞) • ripens (三人称単数現在) [動](自) 1 〈果物・穀物などが〉熟する, 実る. 2 〈人などが〉（…に）円熟する；〈状態などが〉（…に）発達する((into ...))；〈時機などが〉熟する The faculty of thinking ripens with the body. 思考能力は肉体の成長とともに発達する. ━━(他)…を熟させる.