Where do pawpaws come from?
Pawpaws (Carica papaya) probably originated in Central America, where they were widespread before the first European explorers arrived. Cultivation of the pawpaw spread throughout South America during the early part of the sixteenth century and the plant was then carried to the Philippines by the Spaniards around 1550, from where it was transported throughout tropical Asia. Today, major pawpaw producers are Brazil, Indonesia and India who export the fruit to many countries, including the UK.
