Sorry to be off topic again regarding the unique fruit known as the paw paw. I think I'm obsessed with paw paws and I'm not the only one. My ten year old daughter had no school on Monday for Columbus Day. I asked her if she wanted to go out to the trails near the Susquehanna river and look for some late season paw paws. Even though it had nothing to do with electronic devices, texting, gaming, etc, she agreed. It was good to get out and hike/explore like I did when I was a kid. As soon as we started navigating up the trail, the smell of the rich air, snapping of twigs and sounds of nature brought a rush of fond memories into my mind.

She loved it, too. She would yell, " there's another one, let me get it." It was good to see her excited about nature and discovering and collecting this fragrant treasure. We collected a small bag full and I told her I thought that ought to be enough...not for her. She had to spot another patch a little farther up the trail. This time the paw paws were so low, she could just pluck the fruit from her level. Typically, I would grab the trunk and shake. Most times I would get concussed by these one pound plus hail stones, and then she would scurry around and collect them. But this time she could pick the fruit almost as if she was simply picking an apple...or better yet, a fig. Now we had two bags full of ripening fruit. This was way more than we " needed". I spent the afternoon collecting the pulp and separating seeds. The pulp was bagged in the freezer for later. This still leaves me with dozens of fruit that I can't use, but do not want to waste.

I've shipped paw paw fruit very successfully in the past for people. I have a lot of these fruits that will be ripe in about 3-5 days ( I wouldn't send ripe fruit or it would be a mess). If anyone is looking to either try a few paw paws ( if you haven't had one) or really like them and want some, I'd be glad to send some for shipping. If you are local and want to stop by and pick some up for yourselves, friends, and families, please do. I didn't want to spoil my daighter's fun but also hate wasting food ( especially growing up the way I did). If interested, you can send me a PM. Here is a pic of the remaining fruit.

I can attest that they are really yummy, I tried some of Bills earlier this month! I would highly suggest trying pawpaw if you like exotic fruit like sugar apples. Now I am just waiting for the seeds to stratify! 

I have a half pound of seed expected to be delivered today.. I can't wait :). I'm looking forward to a lot of paw paw down the road.

Nice find there Bill!

I would take you up on that Bill, but I am going to be away for several days and don't want a mailbox full of overripe pawpaws when I return.

I would love to try some! Do you think they would survive shipping to Missouri?

I sent you a PM earlier, I've been trying to get my hands on some paw paws for a while now. I really hope you might be able to send some my way.

I have fridge full of these myself I finally found some in the park. I ate a few straight off the tree and found them to be ok but they get very tasty when they sit to ripen. 

Thanks all. I just PMed all interested members. I think that about does it...all spoken for. They will be packaged soon ( I only send pre-ripe ones so they have 3-5 days to ripen-wait until soft and pungent to eat)...I just have to find some small boxes. Thank you all who offered to help. I just can't stand the thought of wasting food.

Pawpaw seeds often float but they're still viable.  Just in case someone needed that bit of info.  :)

Next batch you get send some my way!  Will gladly trade small fig trees or cuttings if you find any more.

Nice collection Bill, also very cool of you to share your harvest. It seems like the season is pretty much over here in Virginia, at least in the patch nearest to my house. I found only one very small one the other day, but I did come home with plenty of seeds to use as grafting stock. Man, after seeing your picture, I may have to drive to my old patch to see if any are left. I love them too, didn't get enough this season.

Mike in Hanover, VA

Hello Bill,

I was wondering if you have any seeds from the paw paws you collected. I live in Maine and have recently found a couple of people who grow them here. I am very interested in native plants and would like to try growing some from seeds. If there is anyone willing to part with some paw paw seeds please pm me and I'm sure we could trade plants or cuttings.

Thank you

Swizzle

I'm also game to try some Paw Paw fruit (or the seeds) if you run across anymore.  I vacationed in Arkansas recently and looked high and low for some to no avail !

Bill I want to thank you. I received the pawpaws this afternoon. I have never tried them before and because of your generosity and willingness to share I finally got the chance. These are definitely a different fruit. Its almost an overload of the senses. They remind me of eating bananas with Gran Manier (orange liqueur) poured over them. And they have same throat warming feeling. I have two more that still need to ripen fully. I look forward to sharing them with my family. Thank you again! It was very kind of you.

I sure wish I would have seen this post a couple days ago. I've been wanting to try them for some time. Way to enrich peoples experiences Bill!

My pleasure, Blackfoot. I believe it is an acquired taste. I remember the first time I tasted it I thought it tasted interesting, too, but wasn't ready to commit to saying it was good. After I tried the fruit in different recipes, I gained an appreciation for it. Paw paw beer is not as bad as it sounds, either. After you mentioned the gran manier, it gave me some ideas of an infused liquor that might just be alright.

Calvin, PM sent.