The Pawpaw Tree - History, Uses, and How to Find (+ my simple way to process the pulp!)

Oh, no! Did you miss the Pawpaw Hike 9/14/25??

The Pawpaw Tunnel

Well, dang. You really missed out! It was a gorgeous day to spend in the woods shaking trees and we found so many goodies!! In addition to pawpaw, we found Spice Bush, American Persimmon, Beechdrops, Chicken of the Woods and Trametes mushrooms, and tons of cool shells while walking along the Potomac River. You can scroll the gallery below to see pics.

Not to worry though, Imma tell you all about the Pawpaw here AND I'll have some to give away when I'm at the La Plata Farmers Market 9-2 on Saturday, September 20!

American Pawpaw

American Pawpaw, Asimina triloba, is an understory tree averaging 10-30' in height. It is common on the East Coast of the US with its range as far West as Nebraska, South to parts of Texas and the Florida panhandle, and North to parts of Michigan and even Southern Ontario. It is part of the Annonaceae, or custard apple, family and one of the few able to grow in temperate zones. Pawpaw were spread by the mega fauna - giant sloths and their friends- that were large enough to digest and pass their sizeable seeds. Its long, simple, hanging leaves are def reminders of their more tropical relatives, as does its taste. Pawpaw tastes like a banana mango with hints of vanilla - although it can have an unpleasant aftertaste.

Ripe Pawpaw fruit

Pawpaw are typically found in clonal groves - meaning they are all essentially the same tree spread by roots underground. As they cannot reproduce with themselves, you would need two different trees to produce fruit (something to keep in mind if you're collecting seeds!). Pawpaw groves are common in low, moist areas with acidic soil but can be found in higher, drier areas too! Pawpaw trees average 10-30' in height with slender trunks (good for shaking!) and long, oval, simple leaves that form symmetrically on branches. In early Spring (April - May here), they have the tiniest, most adorable goth flowers you've ever seen and they appear before the tree is fully leafed out. They're about the size of a nickel, deep maroon, and downward facing. Pawpaw are pollinated by flies are tiny beetles. During colonization, raw meat would often be hung in Pawpaw groves to encourage visitors! As the seasons change, the flowers make way for pawpaw fruit that is ripe late August-early September. The fruit is green initially but as it ripens develops brown and possibly yellow splotches. Because the fruit remains green so long it is still able to produce chlorophyll for the plant! In the fall, the leaves of the pawpaw turn a vibrant yellow before falling, leaving bare branches behind.

pawpaw flowers

pawpaw flowers

the flowers appear before the branches are leafed out

Give the tree a lil shake for the ripe fruit to fall off

When Pawpaw fruit are ripe a gentle shake to the tree will cause them to fall. For thicker trunks you might need a little more than gentle! Watch for them to fall and be sure not to grab any that had already fallen - they likely have buggies in them. Ripe Pawpaw earns the custard apple name. A slight squeeze should easily give. Fruit will not ripen off the tree so leave anything that doesn't give. It won't be tasty. Pawpaw fruit is best enjoyed soon after harvesting, although they will stay good in the fridge for about a week. They do not travel well and are easily bruised, thus the lack of commercial success. They are best eaten out of hand or processed into bread, ice cream, wine, even Pawpaw butter!

If you're going to make any treats with your Pawpaw fruit, first you're going to need to remove the skins and the seeds and get in to a workable pulp. Here's how I do it!

Pawpaw Pulp

This is an easy way to turn Pawpaw fruit in to Pawpaw pulp!

1. Squeeze the Pawpaw fruit in half and scoop the insides into an appropriately sized pot. Leave the seeds in for now.

2. Add about a half a cup of water.

3. Heat on med-low, stirring occasionally.

Your goal here is to slowly heat the pulp until it breaks down into a smooth consistency, stirring so it doesn't stick and to help the process along. The water is to help it not stick to the pot. It is done when it is smooth and the water is evaporated.

4. Easily remove the seeds!