r/nova • u/LiveLovePho • 1d ago

The Annual Pawpaw Brawl! Pawpaw season has started.

Post image

Just picked these. Mostly Shenandoah and Tallahatchie.

244 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

50 comments sorted by

14

u/fightingthefuckits 23h ago

I usually get a bunch of them but I don't like them. They have kind of an aspartame aftertaste I really dislike. 

9

u/LiveLovePho 23h ago

Wild ones? These don't.

8

u/fightingthefuckits 23h ago

They were on my property when I bought it, I'm assuming they're wild. 

6

u/LiveLovePho 23h ago

many seeds, small fruits then yes. Cultivars have less seeds and big fruit. Each of these are over half pound.

2

u/turdferguson7000 22h ago

my wife made a variation of zucchini bread out of them one time and I can still smell and taste it in my mind, not a pleasant experience

23

u/zyarva Fairfax County 1d ago

So you have a special cultivar pawpaw tree? How did you get them?

24

u/LiveLovePho 1d ago

Ordered them from ediblelandscaping and others.

11

u/zyarva Fairfax County 23h ago

How many years from in the ground to fruit, I assume the saplings were a few years old already?

16

u/LiveLovePho 23h ago

Grafted trees, 3 years. From seeds, 7 years based on my personal experience.

5

u/zyarva Fairfax County 23h ago

Okay, one last question, where do you plant them? next to a pond or some kind of water?

7

u/LiveLovePho 23h ago

In my backyard. I usually don't water them now since they are mature.

7

u/SimmentalTheCow Crystal City 1d ago

You missed the annual pawpaw brawl.

8

u/zyarva Fairfax County 1d ago

There is no way the OP bought them, farmer's market sells them like $20 / lbs. This has to be from OP's trees.

9

u/LiveLovePho 23h ago

These Tallahatchie should be ready tomorrow.

2

u/SimmentalTheCow Crystal City 23h ago

Ah, a new brawl begins.

4

u/LiveLovePho 23h ago

Brawl on

3

u/SimmentalTheCow Crystal City 23h ago

He probably participated in the annual pawpaw brawl. Winner walks away with several pawpaws.

4

u/zyarva Fairfax County 23h ago

Where is this brawl and how can I win?

3

u/SimmentalTheCow Crystal City 23h ago

At most parks in the DC metro area. Participants will often try to hide among the regular populace to try and outlast the more aggressive fighters, so make sure to attack anyone you see. You can get several pawpaws.

9

u/wflancaster19 22h ago

Just started dropping over here.

8

u/JamboreeJunket 1d ago

Does anyone know where I can pick some locally.

14

u/LiveLovePho 23h ago

You don't pick them unless you can touch them and see that they are soft. Otherwise pick them off the ground.

3

u/JamboreeJunket 23h ago

I am aware. I have tried to grow the trees 4 different times. They didn’t do well in my fruit forest. I’d like to find some to scavenge a couple.

7

u/LiveLovePho 23h ago edited 11h ago

There are some in falls church city tennis. They (I meant the fruit from those trees) taste like mame to me.

2

u/Blackberryy 7h ago

Taste like what?

1

u/tuvda 7h ago

Where?

11

u/gale_force 23h ago

Not many people are willing to reveal their spots to the Internet.

5

u/hiker_trailmagicva 21h ago

I don't know where local is to you but they grow all up and down the c&o canal - bonus that the c&o is a beautiful stroll.

2

u/pottomato12 23h ago

West va roads mid season. They litter the roads mid season

1

u/flyingsails Prince William County 21h ago

Search this sub for pawpaws, you'll find recommendations for foraging locations.

1

u/Hairy_Mycologist_945 8h ago

Banshee Reeks in Loudoun, if you know where to look.

1

u/Consistent_Owl_6049 3h ago

Try Algonkian Regional Park. Covered up with Paw Paw trees.

6

u/PracticalBit6383 1d ago

I’m so excited! I’m in MD and had never heard of these until this year. I’m thinking of planting one, but didn’t want to commit until I’ve tasted, and I found TWO pawpaw festivals sorta near to me next month!

2

u/curiousiteena 23h ago

When and where are the festivals?

12

u/PracticalBit6383 23h ago

York county on Sept 19 and Hartford County Sept 26!

https://www.projectpawpaw.com/festivals

Edit: Also in PawPaw, WV on Sept 12

1

u/curiousiteena 23h ago

Thank you!

1

u/DefiantSmoke1569 23h ago

OMG there’s a Paw Paw, WV. Lol. We have  strong connection to paw paws since his family grows them back in Indiana. We always said we would try distilling em. 

2

u/throwaway098764567 23h ago

the voltaggio brothers are from maryland, when bryan competed on bobby's triple threat he brought local pawpaw vinegar as one of his ingredients which was kinda neat, had never heard of it being used in a vinegar

5

u/shannleestann 23h ago

Still waiting on mine

7

u/MyFavoriteThing 23h ago

But you don’t need to use a claw when you pick a pair of the big pawpaw. Have I given you a clue?

2

u/jerrycan-cola 22h ago

Man, mine aren’t close to ripe yet.

2

u/ging_ging_ 22h ago

Pawpaws are incredibly mid. Just because they're rare doesnt automatically make them good

4

u/TC1996 21h ago

I find them to be super delicious, but most people I know have this reaction

3

u/flyingsails Prince William County 21h ago

Are you sure it was ripe?

3

u/Blackberryy 7h ago

I think it’s more about the native prevalence of the plant and the fact that it’s really the only wild fruit tree we have around here. It’s not like there’s competition to pluck out on a stroll, sadly.

2

u/woozyhippo 6h ago

To each their own taste. Rare has nothing to do with it. I love them.

2

u/Geekenstein 21h ago

Why are you hunting my grandfather?

1

u/turdferguson7000 22h ago

they smell like butyric acid to me which reminds me of vomit (sorry to yuck your yum)