So far, 2021 might not have lived up to everyone’s expectations. But at least it was a good summer for the pawpaws.
On Two Boots Farm, her property northwest of Baltimore, Elisa Lane cultivates an orchard’s worth of pawpaws, a fruit that’s native to eastern North America and tastes like a cross between a banana and a mango. “This year we had a great spring and have had enough rain to allow the fruit to size up,” Lane says. “We are enjoying a record harvest!”
The pawpaw has long been pawpular in our region (even though its nickname as the “hipster banana” may not have taken off.) In 2020, a bill put forth in the Virginia state legislature would have made the pawpaw Virginia’s state fruit. (The measure was tabled until 2021 and it appears no further action has been taken.) On Facebook, a group of more than 8,000 self-proclaimed pawpaw fanatics share their hauls from foraging for wild-grown fruit. And though Montgomery County’s Parks Department hasn’t held its annual pawpaw festival since 2019, but the department sold every last pawpaw tree at their native plant sale last weekend, says Carolina Giraldo, director of Meadowside Nature Center.
There’s still time for pawpaw connoisseurs and the pawpaw-curious to get some of the fruit. September is the best month for pawpaws in this area. Depending on the year and the weather, early October is possible, but by mid-October it’s definitely over, says Giraldo. The best bet is to show up early to your local farmer’s market, because supplies are limited. Once October rolls around, check with your farmer or market of choice to see if they have pawpaws left.
Lane, for example, will be selling Two Boots Farm pawpaws for $11/lb at the Dupont Circle FRESHFARM market this Sunday.
Niraj Ray, founder of Cultivate the City, says he just harvested more pawpaws this week. They’ll sell for $7/lb this weekend at H Street Farms by Cultivate the City.
Silver Spring’s FRESHFARM market on Saturday will have at least two options for pawpaw purchasing. The fruit will be available for $7/lb from Three Springs Fruit Farm and for $2 to $3 each from Fresh Mama Farms. Dr. Lorien MacAuley, who owns Fresh Mama Farms, says that the fruit’s high price reflects the work it takes to harvest them and get them to market. “The pawpaws are so delicate that half of them won’t even make the journey all the way to market without getting crushed or badly bruised,” she explains. “So each pawpaw is a hidden, fragile gem.”
Buying pawpaws at the Mosaic FRESHFARM market on Sunday will support Nisani Farm, a Black-owned business in Phenix, Virginia. Ann Codrington, owner and producer, says the price will be about $6/lb. She finds her best fruit lying on the ground amidst leaf litter, looking mushy and unattractive. “But don’t let that fool you,” she says. “They taste like ambrosia!”
At the Takoma Park Farmers Market on Sunday Glenville Hollow Farms will be selling pawpaws from their own mini orchard for $7/lb, says farm co-owner Cindy Yingling. The farm cultivates three or four varieties of pawpaw with slightly different growing seasons, which means they can offer the fruit for about two more weeks.
And at Eastern Market, open six days a week, Calomiris Fruits & Vegetables has just a few pawpaws left, selling at $5.98/lb.
If a pawpaw-related road trip is in order to satisfy your craving, the West Virginia Pawpaw Festival is taking place in person and outdoors at the West Virginia University Core Arboretum in Morgantown. Saturday’s free event will feature chef and grower lectures, live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities.
Honey’s Harvest Farm in Lothian, Maryland, is offering a one-hour Wild Edibles Walk and Farm Tour on Sunday. The tour includes the chance to harvest pawpaws to take home. Adult tickets cost $16 and kids 12 and under cost $6.
Or head to Baltimore’s Checkerspot Brewing Company, where you can get a pint of Maximum Fruitage Paw Paw beer on draft, and then take home a 16-ounce can or a 4-pack. The New England IPA-style beer is hopped with pawpaws from Maryland’s Deep Run Orchard, says owner Rob Neff.
For those who tire of chasing the pawpaw each fall and long to grow it themselves, Fresh Mama Farms will soon sell pawpaw seeds online and small trees will be available next year, owner MacAuley says. Caring for pawpaw trees takes a little know-how but isn’t super challenging, says Meadowside Nature Center’s Giraldo.
“Pawpaw trees are not self-pollinating, so you’ll need two trees to produce fruit. Plant them about 15 feet apart from each other in full sun for best fruit production. You want to make sure to keep the soil moist — but not too wet — and make sure the soil drains well,” she says. “If you are starting with saplings, you’ll need patience – it can take about three years to produce fruit.”
Finally, foraging for pawpaws yourself is also an option. “Look for the distinctive oblong leaf shape and you’ll start seeing pawpaw trees everywhere,” says Giraldo. “This time of the year, the fruit will start to drop on its own, ready for you to scoop it up and take home.” Cultivate the City’s Ray says that most trails and areas south of D.C. are likely to be picked over by now, but that fruit should still be available north of the city.
Pawpaws are worth the effort no matter how you track them down, Ray says: “It’s a fruit native to America and every American should try it once in their life.”
