Have you ever tried a pawpaw? The fruit is native to North America, which means every American should have tried it at least once, right? Many of us haven’t, though. Admittedly, I have not. The pawpaw hasn’t really been on my radar, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be, and according to author Andrew Moore, the pawpaw should be part of all of our diets.
Moore recently wrote Pawpaw: In Search of America’s Forgotten Fruit, wants Americans to incorporate the pawpaw—which tastes like a combination of mango and banana—in our meals again. According to Michigan Radio, Moore says that the pawpaw was a staple in Americans’ diets when we foraged for food, but it has since been replaced by fruits like apples, oranges and bananas.
His suggestion? Plant some pawpaw trees. The fruit is high in niacin and potassium, as well as vitamins and antioxidants. The trees are pyramid-shaped, and in the fall, the leaves turn a bright yellow—a gorgeous addition to your farm. However, the best part is that it can be organically grown.
“Thus far, it doesn’t have pests and disease like our apples and peaches do, so it can be grown without the use of chemicals,” Moore told Michigan Radio.
Moore says the pawpaw is also great for local farmers markets.
What do you think of the pawpaw?
