Papaw

papaw Asimina triloba, the fruit of a small N. American tree related to the cherimoya, but with a distribution extending further north, into New York state. It has for long been cultivated by Indians and whites alike.

Papaw is among the fruits which are referred to by the general name custard apple; and is sometimes spelled ‘pawpaw’, a corrupted name which is, confusingly, often also given to the completely different papaya.

The fruit has a smooth, yellowish skin without the knobs or reticulations which are characteristic of its tropical relatives such as the cherimoya, sugar-apple, and sour-sop. The shape is slightly elongated and curved, and the average fruit is 10 cm (4") long. The pulp, like that of other annonaceous fruits, is yellow, soft, and smooth. It has a rich, sweet, creamy flavour evocative of both banana and pear, overlaid with a heavy fragrance, so that some find the whole effect cloying. Papaw is usually eaten raw, but can be baked or made into desserts of various kinds.