WASHINGTON —

One of the appeals of the pawpaw? They make people laugh.

“I think they are kind of funny, actually, like they make people laugh in a way,” said Chris Chmiel, owner of Integration Acres in Albany, Ohio. Latest Forecast

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They also have distinctive characteristics. The pawpaw, which is the largest fruit native to North America, is custard-like and has a flavor profile that is somewhere between a mango, banana and pineapple. They are also highly perishable with a short ripening season between late-August and early October.

Despite these traits, pawpaws have had a surge in popularity in recent years.

“Farmers, they're trying to find ways to make a living, and they see that pawpaws are something that are v

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