The first time I cut open a ripe pawpaw, I expected to find small seeds like an apple or maybe something similar to a persimmon.
Instead, I found several large, shiny seeds that looked almost tropical.
They’re one of the first things people notice when they try a pawpaw for the first time.
In fact, I’ve had more than one person ask me if they were some kind of bean because they’re much larger than most fruit seeds.
After cleaning a few from our own pawpaws here on our Missouri farm, I thought it would be helpful to show exactly what they look like and explain what you can expect when you cut into your own fruit.
Pawpaw Seeds Are Large, Flat, and Dark Brown
One thing that surprised me was just how big they are.
A healthy pawpaw seed is usually:
- Dark brown to almost black.
- Smooth and glossy.
- Flat instead of round.
- Oval or kidney shaped.
- About the size of a large lima bean.
The photo above shows one of the seeds I removed from a ripe pawpaw that grew on our farm.
After washing away the fruit pulp, you can really see how smooth and shiny the seed is.
It’s not rough like a peach pit or deeply ridged like a walnut.
Instead, it has a polished appearance that’s easy to recognize once you’ve seen one.
They’re Much Bigger Than Most People Expect
Pictures online don’t always show scale very well.
Holding one in your hand is a completely different experience.
The seed in the photo above nearly fills the width of one of my fingers.
Before growing pawpaws, I assumed the seeds would be much smaller.
Instead, they’re among the largest fruit seeds in our orchard.
Compared to an apple seed, they’re enormous.
Even compared to peach pits, they’re surprisingly substantial when you consider they’re found inside soft fruit.
How Many Seeds Does One Pawpaw Have?
This depends on the fruit.
Some pawpaws only contain a handful of seeds.
Others seem packed from one end to the other.
From the fruit we’ve harvested so far, I’ve noticed there’s quite a bit of variation.
Some fruits devote more space to creamy flesh.
Others have noticeably more seeds running through the center.
University horticulture publications report that pawpaws commonly contain anywhere from a few seeds to more than a dozen depending on the variety, pollination, and fruit size. Larger fruit don’t always have more edible flesh because seed count can vary quite a bit.
Where Are the Seeds Inside the Fruit?
Unlike apples, where the seeds stay clustered in a central core, pawpaw seeds form a row through the middle of the fruit.
When I cut one open, I usually find the seeds lined up lengthwise from one end to the other.
That makes them fairly easy to remove.
I normally scoop the flesh away from each seed with a spoon and continue until they’re all separated.
It’s a little messy, but it’s also part of the fun of eating fresh pawpaws.
Healthy Pawpaw Seeds Have a Firm Feel
After cleaning several seeds, one thing I’ve noticed is how solid they feel.
Healthy seeds are firm and dense.
They shouldn’t feel hollow or paper-thin.
The smooth outer coating also stays intact unless the seed has been damaged.
If I’m saving seeds from our fruit, I look for the largest, healthiest examples because they’re usually the ones I’d want to try growing.
Don’t Mistake the Seed for the Fruit Quality
I’ve seen people assume that more seeds somehow means sweeter fruit.
In my experience, that isn’t necessarily true.
Some of the best-tasting pawpaws we’ve picked still had several large seeds inside.
The seed count doesn’t tell me much about how good the fruit will taste.
Ripeness and variety seem to matter much more.
Can You Eat Pawpaw Seeds?
No.
The creamy yellow flesh is the part people eat.
The seeds are removed and discarded or saved for planting.
I don’t recommend chewing or swallowing them.
While they’re certainly interesting to look at, they aren’t something I consider edible.
Can You Plant Them?
Absolutely.
In fact, that’s one of the things I enjoy most about growing unusual fruit.
Every ripe pawpaw contains the possibility of another tree.
Fresh pawpaw seeds can be used to grow new trees, although they require patience and special handling.
Unlike many garden seeds, pawpaw seeds shouldn’t simply be allowed to dry out and sit in a packet for months.
They have unique storage requirements if you plan to germinate them.
That’s something I’ll be documenting on our own farm as we continue growing more trees.
My Favorite Thing About Pawpaw Seeds
Oddly enough, it’s what they represent.
Every seed is a reminder that this fruit has been growing in North America for thousands of years.
Long before grocery stores, people were enjoying pawpaws and leaving those same glossy brown seeds behind.
Now, every time I clean one from a freshly picked pawpaw, I can’t help but wonder if it might eventually become another tree.
My Honest Opinion
If you’ve never seen a pawpaw seed before, don’t be surprised by its size.
They’re much larger than most people expect, surprisingly smooth, and almost look polished after they’re cleaned.
To me, they’re one of the most distinctive fruit seeds growing on our farm.
Every fall, after we’ve enjoyed the creamy fruit, I’m left holding these glossy brown seeds and thinking about the next generation of trees they could become.
That’s one of the things I enjoy most about growing fruit.
Even after the harvest is over, the story isn’t finished.
About the Author
Daxon Weaver is the owner of Weaver Family Farms Produce, where he shares firsthand experiences growing pawpaws, jujubes, apples, peaches, pears, berries, and other fruits on his family’s Zone 6a Missouri farm.
