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Cantaloupe Pawpaw

England's Orchard Introductions

Cantaloupe is a England's Orchard Introductions variety, bred by Cliff England, mid season.

Flavor
Tropical melon-like flavor that tastes as the name suggests, with a trace of banana
Size
Very large, about 11 oz (300 g)
Ripening
Mid season
Productivity
Freezes exceptionally well; seeds lift out easily because the fruit has no seed sack
Notes
Fruits can fall and split cleanly into two pieces; flesh texture ranges from chiffon to firm. The largest of the three Walker freestones; sets in clusters of three to four.

What growers say

Cantaloupe pawpaw is the largest of three freestone selections, living up to its name with a tropical melon-like flavor and a trace of banana; with no seed sack the seeds lift out cleanly and the fruit freezes exceptionally well. Grower feedback is limited and mixed, with one comparison rating it okay but behind better varieties. It ripens mid-season.

Marshmallow, Honeydew, and Cantaloupe aren't worth growing. They are ok but others are far better.

Source

Drawn from grower discussions on growingfruit.org

Where to buy Cantaloupe pawpaw trees

Cantaloupe pawpaw is sold out at the one nursery PawpawMap confirmed as of Oct 7, 2026. Grafted pawpaws sell out fast; get notified when it is back.

Get notified when Cantaloupe is back in stock

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Nursery

England's Orchard and Nursery

McKee, KY

Grafted pawpaw trees are local pickup only. Also sells pawpaw seeds and scionwood; contact the nursery for what they will mail.

Related cultivars

England's Orchard Introductions

Kentucky Champion

Very early season, the earliest-bearing commercial cultivar

Sweet with a subtle tartness likened to pineapple or raspberry; firm, golden-orange flesh with a melon note and a pleasant lingering aftertaste

England's Orchard Introductions

Kentucky Legend

Mid to late season

Very good, similar to Sunflower, with a firm texture

England's Orchard Introductions

Tropical Treat

Early season, ripening mid-August in Kentucky

Tastes like mango with a hint of pineapple; widely regarded as one of the best-tasting pawpaws on the market

England's Orchard Introductions

Summer Delight

Very early season, ripening late July into early August, the first to ripen in the breeder's Kentucky orchard

Delicious, smooth-textured flesh with few seeds and a mild aftertaste

England's Orchard Introductions

Marshmallow

Mid season

Tropical melon-like flavor with a trace of banana; the sweetest of the three freestones

England's Orchard Introductions

Honeydew

Mid season

Tropical melon-like flavor that can taste similar to a honeydew melon, with a trace of banana

England's Orchard Introductions

Mango x Wabash

Early season, ripening late August to early September in Kentucky

Firm flesh with a strong yellow color break and a color similar to Wabash

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