Lisa Depiano Weighs in on 'Pawpaw Fever'

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The pawpaw, the largest edible fruit native to North America, is gaining popularity throughout the Connecticut River Valley, where growing conditions are well suited to the species. The fruit is prized for its creamy texture and tropical flavor, but because pawpaws bruise easily and do not ship well, they are best enjoyed close to where they are grown, adding to their appeal as a regional specialty. 

As interest continues to grow, some enthusiasts envision a future pawpaw festival celebrating this unique fruit and its connection to the valley.

To provide a scientific perspective on this enthusiasm, Lisa Depiano of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture spoke with The Republican newspaper in Springfield:

"Lisa Depiano, a senior lecturer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Stockbridge School of Agriculture, told Greta Jochem of The Republican that a few pawpaw trees were growing at the school’s Agricultural Learning Center. Why not more trees to help answer questions? Could a pawpaw fruit be grown that does not bruise so easily? Could a pawpaw be grown that ripens after it has been picked? 'There’s definitely a growing interest,' said Depiano. 'There’s a pawpaw fever.'"

— The Republican

Click here to learn more about the growing advocacy for a future Connecticut River Valley pawpaw festival.