ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Pawpaw ice cream, made from the unique green and yellow fruit, will return to The Hop Ice Cream early next month.

On Friday, Oct. 3, the pawpaw flavor will come to all four The Hop locations, found in North Asheville, West Asheville, the S&W Market in downtown Asheville and in Black Mountain.

From 3 to 6 p.m. the same day, Asheville GreenWorks, an environmental conservation and education organization, will be at The Hop North Asheville, 640 Merrimon Ave., with information about the pawpaw tree and pawpaw seedlings for sale.

All about the pawpaw

The pawpaw fruit for the ice cream comes from Milkweed Meadows Farm, a family farm located outside of Hendersonville. Milkweed Meadows is dedicated to growing plants that benefit local pollinators, especially butterflies. The farm maintains an orchard of over 100 pawpaw trees to nurture zebra swallowtails, a butterfly which relies entirely on the leaves of the tree.

A press release from the ice cream parlor described the pawpaw as “a unique fruit with thin green skin, large brown seeds and smooth, sunshine-yellow, custard-like flesh. Pawpaw is a deciduous, native, understory tree that thrives in a range of conditions, from deep shade to full sunlight in moist, nutrient-rich forests.”

If the pawpaw flavor becomes a favorite at home, Asheville GreenWorks will also have pawpaw trees available for pre-order on their website, www.ashevillegreenworks.org.

(Courtesy: The Hop Ice Cream) Pawpaw fruit is the signature ingredient of pawpaw ice cream at The Hop.

“We’re always thrilled to partner with Asheville GreenWorks because of their tireless and impactful efforts to improve our community,” said Greg Garrison, co-owner of The Hop, in the release.

“Pawpaws are truly magical — with a flavor that’s a delightful mix of mango, banana, vanilla, and pineapple. We’re so fortunate to collaborate with local growers to bring this extraordinary ice cream to more people,” concluded Ashley Garrison, co-owner of The Hop, in the release.

For more information about The Hop, visit www.hopicecreamnc.com.