Hello Hive friends!
I hope you are doing well today. I wanted to take a little time to talk about something very simple but so common in my life — pawpaw. I didn’t eat one today, but I kept thinking about it, so I decided to write about it here.
Pawpaw is one of those fruits you almost forget to appreciate because it is everywhere. You see it on market tables, in people’s backyards, and sometimes even by the roadside. But when you stop and think about it, it really is a special fruit.
Growing up, pawpaw was always around in my home. We never had to wait for a special season to get it — there was always someone selling it nearby. Sometimes we would eat it first thing in the morning, other times it would be our evening snack. I think that’s why I feel so familiar with it now — it was just part of normal life.
When I picture pawpaw, I think of its bright orange color and smooth, soft flesh. It is one of the easiest fruits to eat. No peeling like oranges, no cracking like coconuts — just cut it, remove the seeds, and it’s ready. Even though I didn’t slice one today, I can imagine the smell and the taste. Sweet, refreshing, and a little bit creamy — perfect for a hot afternoon.
Pawpaw is also very healthy. It has a lot of vitamin C to keep you strong, vitamin A for good eyesight, and papain, which helps your stomach digest food. My grandmother always used to say pawpaw “cleans the stomach.” Back then, I didn’t really understand, but now I know she was right.
One thing I really love is how versatile pawpaw is. You can eat it ripe as fruit, blend it into a smoothie, mix it with other fruits for a salad, or even cook it when it’s still green. I’ve eaten green pawpaw cooked in soup before, and it was surprisingly soft and nice. Some people even use it as a meat tenderizer because of the papain enzyme.
I also like how easy pawpaw is to grow. The tree doesn’t need too much care, and once it starts fruiting, it gives so much. My neighbor has a few pawpaw trees in their yard, and sometimes when they have too many ripe ones, they share with us. It always feels nice when someone calls you over and says, “Come and take pawpaw before it spoils.” That kind of sharing makes me smile because it feels like a small act of kindness.
Sometimes I think about planting my own tree. It would be nice to just step outside and pick a fresh pawpaw whenever I want. The only thing stopping me is space, but one day I will do it.
Talking about pawpaw here makes me appreciate it more. It’s one of those simple things that quietly make life better. When you eat it chilled, it feels like you are taking a short break from everything else, like giving yourself a little reward.
I also think pawpaw is a good conversation starter. If you have one on the table, someone will definitely say, “Wow, that looks sweet!” and soon you are talking about which ones are the best, how you like to eat them, or how fast the trees grow.
Even though today I didn’t cut any, I think I will buy one tomorrow. Just thinking about it while writing this is making me crave that bright orange color and sweet taste.
Before I end this post, here are a few things I really appreciate about pawpaw:
It’s always in season – You can find it almost any time of the year.
It’s simple and easy – No stress to prepare, just cut and enjoy.
It’s healthy – Good for the stomach, eyes, and skin.
It’s easy to grow – Even one tree can give plenty of fruit.
It brings people together – Sharing pawpaw is something I’ve seen many times.
So Hive friends, do you eat pawpaw often where you live? Do you like it plain, in smoothies, or cooked in food? Maybe you have your own pawpaw tree or childhood memories connected to this fruit. I’d love to hear about it in the comment.Thank you for reading and spending time with me today. Sending you sweet pawpaw vibes and wishing you a peaceful and bright day ahead!
