08/23/2026
Guess what is ripening at Brookhaven Mill Farm?
Pawpaws!
The back 13 acres of the farm has an old pawpaw patch that has been quietly producing pawpaws over the years--unseen and unknown until a deer hunter spotted them last fall and told the farm's owner of his discovery: a secret oasis of hundreds of pawpaw plants hidden away in the woods.
This shy and almost unknown fruit, indigenous to this area of North Carolina, won't be found in mainstream grocery stores due to their short shelf life. But even as an uncommon food to most people, pawpaws have been around for centuries and has its own fan club following of food lovers who appreciate this hard-to-find and delicious fruit described as a cross between a mango and a banana.
Two of the farm's regulars offered to scout in these woods looking for the alleged oasis.
Armed with bucket, machete, long sleeves, gloves and boots, these seasoned hikers cut a path towards the creek and found their treasure!
They reported back that many trees had fruit but were not quite ripe, and were able to get some of the ripe ones, shown below.
The back 13 acres are overgrown, dense and not for the faint of heart, but in September we will open this area of the farm for die-hard pawpaw lovers looking for an adventure for this elusive, exotic fruit that has such a short harvest season.
To book your pawpaw pickin' date, contact us at [email protected].
