Behold the pawpaw, the tropical 'alien banana' that grows right here in Canada

The pawpaw is a native North American fruit that surprisingly thrives in parts of Canada, offering a tropical flavor described as a mix of banana, mango and pineapple with a custardy, almost caramel texture when fully ripe. Once widely cultivated by Indigenous peoples and spread along the eastern seaboard by Haudenosaunee communities, it now survives in pockets of southern Ontario, Quebec and B.C., appearing in wild stands, small orchards and seasonal farmers’ markets. The fruit ripens in fall but resists large-scale commerce because it bruises easily and spoils quickly after picking; its skin and seeds are toxic and only the custard-like pulp is eaten. Pawpaw festivals in early October and local demand underscore growing curiosity.

Reviving commercial production requires horticultural tinkering: one Ontario grower reports 11 years of experiments to get reliable fruiting and uses raw horse/llama manure to attract blue bottle flies that pollinate the flowers. A small 11-tree planting can yield roughly 250-300 pounds a year; growers sometimes charge premium prices (about $20 per pound) as interest rises. Chefs recommend using pawpaw sparingly in dressings, sauces and desserts or simply fresh, and advocates hope increased exposure and backyard planting will help the fruit make a comeback.