America's Forgotten Fruit: The Pawpaw NPR

Did you know that a tropical, mango-like fruit grows wild across the Eastern US, from the shores of the Potomac all the way to Michigan. A secret fruit to many, the pawpaw has a rich history but is hard to come by.

The fruit tastes somewhere between a mango and a banana, sometimes with a kiwi-like tang. Never heard of it? Blame it on a short season, fast ripening once picked, and lack of commercialization. If pawpaws are native to your area, they're worth searching out. And there's no time like right now; Pawpaws are only available a few weeks out of the year and the current season is coming to a close.

Have you tried a pawpaw?

• Read more: The Pawpaw: Foraging For America's Forgotten Fruit at NPR

(Images: Abby Verbosky/NPR>)

Comments (16)

We get them a lot in South Africa - they're really nice as part of a fruit salad. It's also a good fruit to eat with protein, since it contains papain (an enzyme that degrades protein). You can also use it in marinades to tenderise meat.

TIL Paw Paw, Michigan is apparently named after these. Interesting.

I've had wild pawpaws that my dad picked. It's a different texture that you'd expect for the flavor - think mango / apple as a custard.

So....I'm not the only one that thinks these look like testicles, right?

@aninhas--Well, now I can't un-see it... ;)

I'm currently living in West Africa and everyone here calls papaya, pawpaw. Very confusing.

I've made pawpaw muffins before (following steps for banana muffins). The hardest part is getting the meat out of the pawpaws (and the seeds pulled out). Has a delicate sweetness.

We planted two trees about 4 years ago, and this year we were finally rewarded with fruit. Absolutely delicious and the flavor is just as you described.

I've heard of them but I've never had the chance to try one. I probably wouldn't be able to find them anywhere around here in KS though!

Some mail-order nurseries like Stark Bro.'s and Logee's sell pawpaw cultivars. They thrive almost anywhere and the fruit is delicious!

Nice TAL reference!

@aninhas - If yours are green, you should see your doctor, if you are a martian, my sincere apologies.

To me the flavor is an apple/banana/mango combination of sorts. I havent been able to forage any in years. They can make wonderful breads/muffins if substituted for banana. Be sure and get ALL of the peel out of your pulp though, since it tastes like green bell pepper/diesel fuel.

I had a tree in my yard when I went to school in Indiana... it's called a "Hoosier Banana" there. I always thought it was a lot like a custard apple.

Pawpaw: what I call my grandfather. D'oh!

"Picking up paw paws, put 'em in your pocket" is a song from my childhood, but I've never seen the fruit. Now I want to find some