Pawpaws & Beverage Biology: A Tropical and Global Exploration

Explore tropical fruits & global beverages in a full-day workshop on Pawpaws and worldwide drink traditions.

Join us for a full-day journey into the fascinating worlds of tropical fruits and global beverage traditions. This immersive experience is perfect for plant enthusiasts, curious foodies, and anyone interested in ethnobotany, culture, and health.

Morning Session: The Pawpaw and Its Tropical Relatives (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

Discover the Pawpaw and its extended family, the Annonaceae. Explore legendary fruits such as Biriba, Bullock’s Heart, Soursop, Sugar Apple, and Sweet Sop, as well as non-edible members like Ylang Ylang. Learn where these plants grow across Asia, Africa, and the Americas, and uncover their non-food ethnobotanical uses.

Lunch Break (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)

Take a break, enjoy your own meal, and connect with fellow participants.

Afternoon Session: Beverage Biology of the World (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM)

Take an ethnobiological tour of beverage traditions from Appalachia and cultures around the globe. Learn how different liquid preparations relate to health and well-being, and engage your senses with a curated selection of beverages for tasting. This session blends education with hands-on experience for a fully immersive exploration.

About the Instructor — Marc Williams:

Marc Williams is an ethnobiologist and Executive Director of Plants and Healers International with over two decades of experience studying how people and plants — including fungi and microbes — connect for food, medicine, culture, and beauty. Marc has traveled extensively across North, Central and South America, Europe, and all 50 U.S. states, visited hundreds of botanical gardens and research institutions, and taught hundreds of classes to thousands of students on plants, cultures, and their relationships. He also serves on the Board of Directors of United Plant Savers and shares his work more broadly through the Botany Everyday online platform.

Tickets & Registration: $30 per attendee

Open to all skill and knowledge levels

Additional Info: A portion of proceeds will support United Plant Savers.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore tropical fruits, global beverage culture, and their fascinating intersections with health and ethnobotany.