Harvesting Pawpaw Fruit: How to Pick, Store, and Enjoy It Before It’s Gone
The Race Against Time – Harvesting & Preserving Pawpaw Fruit
If you’ve ever tasted a ripe pawpaw, you know just how special this native American fruit is. It’s creamy, tropical, and sweet—like a banana met a mango and decided to grow in the woods of Missouri. But there’s one catch: pawpaw fruit has a ridiculously short shelf life.
Unlike apples or pears that can sit around for weeks, pawpaws demand to be eaten right now or properly stored before they turn to mush. That’s why knowing when and how to harvest pawpaws is just as important as figuring out how to enjoy them before they go bad.
In this guide, we’ll walk through:
✅ The best time to harvest pawpaw fruit so you don’t pick them too early.
✅ How to store pawpaws to extend their life beyond just a few days.
✅ Ways to preserve pawpaw fruit (freezing, jam-making, and more).
✅ Creative ways to use pawpaw pulp before it’s too late.
If you’re lucky enough to have a pawpaw tree in your backyard or want to start growing your own, check out our pawpaw trees for sale—so you can harvest your own fresh pawpaw fruit every year!
When and How to Harvest Pawpaw Fruit
Pawpaw season is short, and if you don’t time your harvest just right, you could end up with fruit that’s either too hard to eat or a mushy mess. Unlike apples or peaches, pawpaws do not ripen once picked—so knowing when to harvest is key.
How to Tell When Pawpaws Are Ripe
Pawpaws don’t change color much when they ripen, so you’ll need to rely on touch, smell, and sight to determine when they’re ready to pick. Here’s what to look for:
- Soft to the touch – A ripe pawpaw should have some give when gently squeezed, like a ripe avocado.
- Slight color change – Most stay green but may develop a slight yellowish tint when fully ripe.
- Fragrant aroma – A ripe pawpaw gives off a sweet, tropical scent.
- Easily detaches from the tree – If it comes off with a gentle twist, it’s ready. If you have to tug, leave it a little longer.
- Fallen fruit – Often, the best way to know a pawpaw is ripe is when it naturally drops from the tree. Many foragers rely on this method to find the best fruit.
For a look at how these fruits develop, check out What Do Tiny Baby Pawpaw Fruit Look Like?.
Will Pawpaws Ripen If Picked Too Early?
Nope! Pawpaws are not like bananas—they won’t continue ripening once picked. If you harvest them too early, they’ll stay hard, bland, and inedible. This is why patience is key when growing pawpaws.
The Best Way to Harvest Pawpaw Fruit
- Hand-picking – The best method is to gently twist the fruit off the branch when it’s soft and ready.
- Let them fall naturally – Many pawpaw growers wait until fruit drops on its own and then gather them from the ground.
- Avoid shaking the tree – Unlike persimmons, pawpaws bruise easily, so shaking them down can cause damage.
Since pawpaws only ripen for a short window, harvesting them at peak ripeness is key. If you’re growing your own, learning about pawpaw flowers early in the season will help you predict when to expect fruit.
How to Store Pawpaw Fruit to Extend Its Short Life
Pawpaw fruit is delicious, but once it’s ripe, the clock starts ticking. If left at room temperature, it can turn from perfect to mushy in just a couple of days. Proper storage is the key to making the most of your harvest.
How Long Does Pawpaw Fruit Last?
- Room Temperature: Only 2-3 days before it becomes too soft to handle.
- Refrigerated: About 2 weeks, though some have successfully extended this.
- Freezing: Months to a year if properly stored as pulp.
The Best Way to Store Fresh Pawpaws
Refrigerating Pawpaw Fruit
Yes, you should refrigerate pawpaws to keep them fresh longer! Just place them whole and unpeeled in the fridge. This slows down ripening and gives you up to 2 weeks before they start breaking down.
The Brown Paper & Box Storage Trick
A pawpaw grower on a gardening forum shared a genius trick that extended her pawpaws' freshness to nearly a month!
- Step 1: Wrap each pawpaw individually in brown paper (like grocery bag paper).
- Step 2: Place them inside a cardboard box (not plastic).
- Step 3: Store the box in a cool, dark place—like a garage in fall weather.
This method seems to slow down the ripening process even better than refrigeration, thanks to the regulated airflow and reduced moisture buildup.
Can You Store Pawpaws on the Counter?
Not for long! If left out, a ripe pawpaw will turn soft within 2-3 days. If you need them to last, stick with refrigeration or the brown paper method.
Avoiding Common Storage Mistakes
🚫 Don’t store pawpaws in airtight containers—this traps moisture and speeds up rotting.
🚫 Don’t store with bananas or apples—they release ethylene gas, which will ripen your pawpaws even faster.
🚫 Don’t pick them too early thinking they’ll ripen on the counter—they won’t!
For more plant-growing tips, check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Ways to Preserve Pawpaw Fruit for Long-Term Use
Pawpaws have a short fresh shelf life, but luckily, there are several ways to preserve their unique flavor so you can enjoy them long after harvest season ends. Whether you want to freeze, cook, or ferment them, there’s a method for keeping that creamy, tropical goodness around.
Freezing Pawpaw Pulp – The Best Long-Term Storage Method
If you want to keep pawpaw fruit for months or even a year, freezing is the way to go. Since the skin and seeds aren’t edible, it’s best to process the fruit before freezing.
How to Freeze Pawpaw Pulp:
- Scoop out the flesh – Cut the pawpaw in half and scoop the creamy pulp out with a spoon.
- Remove the seeds – The large black seeds aren’t edible, so make sure to discard them.
- Store in airtight containers or freezer bags – Portion out into 1-cup or 2-cup servings for easy use in recipes later.
- Label and freeze – Mark the date on each container and freeze for up to a year.
🔹 Pro Tip: Some people add a little lemon juice to prevent browning, but it’s not necessary if you store it properly.
Making Pawpaw Jam & Preserves
If you love spreading fruit on toast or biscuits, pawpaw jam is an easy way to make this fruit last. The natural sweetness and tropical flavor make it a great base for jams, jellies, and even pawpaw butter.
Basic Pawpaw Jam Recipe
- 2 cups pawpaw pulp
- 1 ½ cups sugar or honey
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (to preserve color)
- 1 packet pectin (optional, for thickening)
🔹 How to Make It:
- Heat the pawpaw pulp, sugar, and lemon juice in a pot over medium heat.
- Stir continuously until the mixture thickens (about 20 minutes).
- Add pectin if you want a thicker jam.
- Pour into sterilized jars, seal, and store in the fridge for up to a month or process in a water bath for long-term storage.
Drying Pawpaw Fruit – Does It Work?
Unlike apples or bananas, pawpaws have a creamy texture, so traditional dehydrating doesn’t work well. However, you can make pawpaw fruit leather!
How to Make Pawpaw Fruit Leather:
- Blend pawpaw pulp with a little honey or sugar.
- Spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or dehydrator tray.
- Dry at 135°F for 6-8 hours until pliable.
- Cut into strips and store in an airtight container.
Fermenting Pawpaw for Unique Flavors
Pawpaw’s high sugar content makes it great for fermented beverages like:
🍷 Pawpaw Wine – A tropical-flavored homemade wine.
🍺 Pawpaw Beer – Some craft brewers experiment with pawpaw-infused ales.
🥤 Pawpaw Kombucha or Mead – Adds a rich, fruity depth to these fermented drinks.
If you love edible landscaping, check out Nuts, Food, and More Edible Plants for Your Garden for more homegrown food ideas.
Pawpaw Fruit Safety: What You Should Know
Pawpaw is a delicious and nutrient-rich fruit, but like any wild or homegrown food, it’s good to know the facts before you start eating it by the handful. While most people can enjoy pawpaw fruit with no issues, there are a few things to keep in mind when consuming it.
Is Pawpaw Fruit Toxic?
There’s a lot of confusion about whether pawpaws are toxic, but here’s the truth:
- The flesh of the fruit is completely safe to eat and has been enjoyed for centuries.
- The seeds and skin, however, contain compounds that may cause digestive upset if consumed in large amounts.
- Some people are sensitive to pawpaw fruit, experiencing mild nausea or stomach discomfort after eating a lot of it in one sitting.
✅ Best Practice: Always remove the seeds and skin, and if you’re eating pawpaw for the first time, start with a small amount to see how your body reacts.
What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Pawpaw?
Most people experience nothing but tropical-flavored happiness, but in some cases:
- Eating too much at once can cause mild stomach discomfort.
- People with a sensitivity to annonacin (a compound in pawpaw) may feel nausea if they overeat.
- Pawpaw is high in antioxidants, vitamin C, and magnesium, making it great for immune health and digestion.
Are Pawpaw Seeds Poisonous?
Pawpaw seeds contain compounds called acetogenins, which in large amounts can be toxic. The seeds are also very hard and bitter, so they’re not exactly pleasant to eat.
🚫 DO NOT grind up or eat the seeds—just scoop out the pulp and discard them.
If you're growing pawpaw trees and want to learn more about their early growth stages, check out What Do Pawpaw Flowers Look Like? for tips on identifying your tree before fruiting season.
Fun & Creative Ways to Use Pawpaw Fruit
Pawpaw is one of the most versatile fruits you can grow, and because it has such a short shelf life, you’ll want to get creative with how you use it. The fruit’s naturally creamy, custard-like texture makes it perfect for smoothies, baked goods, and even ice cream.
1. Pawpaw Smoothies 🍌🥭
Since pawpaw already tastes like a mix of banana, mango, and vanilla, it blends perfectly into smoothies.
Simple Pawpaw Smoothie Recipe:
- 1 cup pawpaw pulp (frozen or fresh)
- ½ banana
- 1 cup milk or yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- Ice cubes (optional)
👉 Blend until smooth and enjoy!
2. Pawpaw Ice Cream 🍦
Pawpaw’s natural creamy texture makes it ideal for homemade ice cream—no dairy needed!
Easy Pawpaw Ice Cream Recipe:
- 2 cups pawpaw pulp
- 1 can coconut milk
- ½ cup sugar or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
👉 Mix ingredients, pour into an ice cream maker, and freeze!
3. Pawpaw Bread & Muffins 🍞
Move over banana bread—pawpaw bread is just as moist and flavorful, with a tropical twist. Simply swap pawpaw pulp for bananas in your favorite banana bread recipe!
4. Pawpaw Pudding 🍮
This is one of the oldest ways to enjoy pawpaw. Just blend pawpaw pulp with a bit of sugar, eggs, and milk, then bake for a delicious, old-fashioned dessert.
5. Pawpaw Salsa 🌶️🥭
Want a sweet and spicy twist on salsa? Dice up pawpaw, onions, lime juice, and jalapeño for a tropical salsa perfect for grilled chicken or fish.
6. Pawpaw in Oatmeal or Yogurt 🥣
If you’re short on time, just mix pawpaw pulp into your morning oatmeal or yogurt for a naturally sweet, creamy breakfast.
Since fresh pawpaw fruit is hard to find in stores, the best way to guarantee you have a steady supply is to grow your own! If you’re interested in planting your own pawpaw tree, check out our pawpaw trees for sale.
Why Grow Your Own Pawpaw Tree?
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably realizing just how special pawpaws are. But here’s the catch—they’re nearly impossible to find in grocery stores! Unless you know a local grower, your best bet for fresh pawpaw fruit is growing your own tree.
Top Reasons to Grow a Pawpaw Tree:
✅ Rare & Hard to Find – Pawpaws don’t ship well, so commercial stores don’t carry them. Growing your own means a fresh supply every year.
✅ Low Maintenance – Pawpaws are native trees, meaning they thrive naturally without needing constant care.
✅ Great for Small Spaces – They stay under 25 feet tall, making them a great choice for backyard growers. (Check out more small trees in our guide: Small Trees Under 25ft.)
✅ Wildlife-Friendly – Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, supporting your local ecosystem.
✅ Tropical Flavor Without the Tropics – Love bananas and mangoes but live in a colder climate? Pawpaws bring that tropical taste to your backyard!
Final Thoughts on Harvesting & Storing Pawpaw Fruit
Pawpaw season is short, but with the right harvesting, storage, and preservation techniques, you can enjoy this fruit long after it ripens.
- Pick at peak ripeness—pawpaws don’t ripen after picking!
- Refrigerate or wrap in brown paper to extend freshness.
- Freeze, make jam, or dry into fruit leather for long-term storage.
- Use in smoothies, ice cream, bread, and more before they go bad!
If you love fresh, homegrown fruit, planting your own pawpaw tree is the best way to ensure you always have access to this rare and delicious treat.
🌱 Start growing your own pawpaw tree today! Check out our pawpaw trees for sale and bring this incredible fruit to your backyard.
