Fun Fact #375 Mayhaw Mania

 Fun Fact #375

Mayhaw Mania

If you were to wander into the American South around May you might stumble across an army of people scouring the Lakes, rivers, and even Bayous. However, this is no invasion but rather the great Mayhaw hunt. 

Mayhaws are a fruit which grows in flooded river and creek beds, often under a Hardwood tree which protects it from bad weather.  They are a type of Hawthorn berry which is part of the larger Rosales order (Roses). Although they aren't that great when eaten raw, their Jelly is considered a delicacy in the south for its sweetness. Many towns will go “Mayhawing'' in the creeks and streams plucking them from the trees while dragging nets behind to catch any berries which fell. Today Louisiana, Texas, Georgia and Arkansas all have large scale festivals celebrating the fruit from April to May.

In more recent years a variety which does not need waterlogged roots has been bred and opened up the Mayhaws for mass scale cultivation, though currently Jellies, and Syrups are the only Mayhaw products widely available. Thanks for reading and please have a wonderful day.