Rebecca's Gold Pawpaw

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Michigan, USA (1974)

Rebecca's Gold is a genuine Northern California heirloom variety, selected from University of California, Davis seed in 1974 by a grower named J.M. Riley. It produces large, very sweet, richly flavored fruit with firm, smooth, easy-to-peel skin, and is considered a favorite for both canning and fresh eating. It is a late-season ripener.

Submitted by @system · 10 days ago

Counts toward the overall Top Tier Fruit list — every category's votes are compared the same way.

Growing & Care

Hardiness zone

USDA Zones 5-8

Chill hours

~400 hours

Pollination

Needs a genetically different pawpaw variety nearby.

Care info

An older regional selection, generally outperformed on flavor by newer Peterson-program cultivars.

Recommendations

Consider a newer cultivar like Shenandoah or Susquehanna first if flavor is your top priority — this one has a more middling reputation.

Flavor Profile

Milder flavor, sometimes described by growers as less concentrated than top modern cultivars

Quick facts

Skin color

Golden-green

Size

Medium

Hardiness zone

USDA Zones 5-8

Chill hours

400

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