🥭 Tallahatchie® - Neal Peterson’s Gourmet Selection with Large Fruits and Refined Flavor

Variety Description

Summary

Tallahatchie® (Selection 10-35) is the newest masterpiece from Neal Peterson's historic breeding program, released to the public in 2018. It is specifically celebrated for its "ice cream grade" texture—a silk-like smoothness that is rare even among elite hybrids. The fruits are substantial (averaging 240g) and possess a sophisticated floral-tropical flavor that avoids any of the "musky" notes found in wild types. While it is an incredibly heavy producer, it is known for growing fruit in large clusters that may require manual thinning to maximize individual fruit size. Its reliability, elite flavor, and low seed count (≈5%) have quickly made it a top-tier recommendation for both gourmet home orchards and specialty commercial growers.

Origin and Pedigree

Provenance: Neal Peterson (Peterson Pawpaws). Discovered as a top-performing clone in Row 10 of his research orchard in Maryland, it was evaluated for years in university trials across several states before its official release. It represents one of the final nine selections deemed "world-class" by the breeder.

Fruit Specifications: The Ice Cream Standard

Physical Attributes: Tallahatchie consistently produces large fruits. While the average weight is ≈240g, individual specimens in thinned orchards can significantly exceed this. Aesthetic: Deeply saturated yellow pulp that holds its color well. Palette: This variety is often described as having an "exquisite" balance. It features a deep sweetness (averaging 27 °Brix) tempered by complex floral notes. Texture: Experts from Kentucky State University (KSU) have highlighted this variety as the gold standard for pawpaw-based desserts due to its lack of fiber and melting mouthfeel.

Orchard Integrity

Efficiency: A highly vigorous and productive tree that often sets more fruit than it can comfortably carry. To prevent limb damage and ensure large fruit size, growers are advised to thin clusters to 2–3 fruits each. Growth Habit: Reaches a mature height of 4 to 6 meters with a sturdy, upright-branching architecture.

Management and Logistics

Maturity Timing: It fits perfectly into the mid-to-late harvest window, ripening just after Shenandoah in most regions. Handling: Tallahatchie possesses good "skin integrity," allowing for easier harvest and transport than many heirloom varieties. However, because it sets so many fruits, multiple harvests over several days are usually necessary as clustered fruits ripen at different speeds.

Environmental Adaptation

Proven hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. It exhibits high disease resistance and thrives in deep, well-drained silt-loam soils but is adaptable to heavier clays if properly mulched.

Conclusion

Tallahatchie® is the ultimate variety for the true "pawpaw foodie." It offers a refined, floral sweetness and a texture that is truly peerless in the pawpaw world. For the grower, it provides high yields and reliable performance, provided one is willing to perform the necessary cluster thinning. It is a vital addition to any Peterson collection, bridging the gap between mid-season productivity and late-season gourmet quality. If your goal is to produce the world's best pawpaw ice cream or simply enjoy the most refined fresh pulp available, Tallahatchie is an essential choice.