This episode, we explore why, and we speak to the pawpaw breeders, farmers, and enthusiasts who are leading its revival. Sheri Crabtree, a plant breeder at America’s only academic pawpaw research program, at Kentucky State University, told us “there is growing interest in pawpaw as a new crop.” A little bit further north, near Athens, Ohio, Chris Chmiel has made promoting the pawpaw his life’s work, founding the world’s largest pawpaw festival, as well as becoming the world’s largest pawpaw processor. And Gastropod listener Sara Bir, who suggested this episode, has written a pawpaw cookbook that aims to lure in the uninitiated with puddings and quick breads. Listen in now to find out more about this mysterious fruit—including where can you get hold of it!
Andrew Moore is a writer and the author of Pawpaw: In Search of America’s Forgotten Fruit.
Listener Sara Bir suggested that we make an episode on pawpaws—she’s a pawpaw obsessive as well as the author of The Pocket Pawpaw Cookbook.
The photo illustrating today’s show was taken by Jonathan Palmer, KYSU Land Grant Program, and used courtesy of Kentucky State University.
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