PawPaws, America's Largest Native Fruit

baby pawpaw tree

Pawpaws, are a fruit that the vast majority of people have never heard of let along eaten.

They were mentioned to me 3 years ago, randomly.

At the time I thought little of it and went right on.

However, they crept back onto my radar here and there so I thought it was good idea to put in a PawPaw orchard....I mean why not, right?

Now, I did my research...and talked to anyone I possibly could that had experience growing them. After a lot of really wonderful information and I purchased 90 trees, 8 different varieties. Baby steps to start!

one of our new trees

So what on earth is a PawPaw?

Check out this video:

I am growing several of Neal's varieties and he was very helpful in answering my questions when I was sorting out the logistics for my orchard. Thanks Neal! 

Nutrition according to Kentucky State University: "Pawpaws are very nutritious fruits. They are high in vitamin C, magnesium, iron, copper, and manganese. They are a good source of potassium and several essential amino acids, and they also contain significant amounts of riboflavin, niacin, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc. Pawpaws contain these nutrients in amounts that are generally about the same as or greater than those found in bananas, apples, or oranges."

PawPaw season is from August through early October.  And while eating them raw (like most fruit) is the number one choice for consumption you can also make breads, jam, various desserts and....beer! Yep, Jackie O's in Ohio is brewing up some PawPaw adult beverages as well as, Marietta Brewing Company.  Not to mention you can attend the Ohio PawPaw Festival.

I'm so excited for this new addition to our farm and can't wait to share them with you!