Appearance & Taste

Papayas are bell-shaped, with one end much smaller than the other, and range in weight from 1 pound to a massive 20 pounds. The outside skin is smooth and leathery, with a colour that changes from green to yellow as it ripens.

On the inside, the pulp is juicy and bright orange or pink in colour (depending on the variety) and this pulp is generally what is eaten. In the centre of all this, small, shiny black seeds are clustered together in the ridged cavity. These are generally edible, with a sharp peppery taste, but are generally discarded or crushed and used as pepper on salads etc.

A properly ripened papaya is juicy, aromatic and sweetish in flavour with a delicious texture.

Where It Comes From

Some of the major producers of papaya are Mexico, Brazil, India, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Health Benefits

Papayas are a rich source of antioxidants such as folic acid, fibre, vitamin C and E. In addition, the papaya fruit contains the digestive enzyme, papain (which breaks down protein and cleanses the digestive track) and the carotenoids- lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene.

Lycopene is being studied for its ability to fight heart disease and some cancers, while Lutein and zeaxanthin are important natural antioxidants that can help keep your eyes healthy, whilst maintaining the health of your skin. Due to all this, Papaya has now begun to be hailed as a superfruit.

Uses

• The black seeds are crushed and used to make pepper.
• The pulp of the papaya can be cut up and used in fruit salad
• Papaya fruit can be used to flavour ice cream, be cooked in pie or even made into jam.
• Papaya also is used to make juices, nectars and drinks
• To make digestive aids which are sold in health shops.
  

Fruit Facts

• The papaya tree is actually a herb, but unlike many other herbs, it can grow 10 or 12 feet tall.
• Brazil is the leading producer of Papayas
• The papaya has long been used by some people in magical rites. Apparently, if you tie a rag around a limb of a papaya tree while visualising your need, your wish will be fulfilled. On the other hand, it is also said that if you eat the fruit and simultaneously serve it to the object of your desires, feelings of love will intensify.
  

How to prepare to eat

1. Before you eat a papaya, make sure it is ripe by gently pressing it with your thumb. If you can press it in a bit, it’s ready to eat.
2. Wash the Papaya in cold water
3. Place the papaya on a cutting board. Using a large, sharp knife, cut the papaya in half lengthwise. (i.e. cut along the longest side so you get two equal shapes)
4. Using a large spoon, scrape out the seeds in both halves.
5. Next we need to peel the skin. Hold one half of the papaya vertically and run your knife downward along the skin trying to ensure you don’t take too much of the fruit either. Repeat with both halves.
6. Now, put one half, on the cutting board, on its flat side (i.e. curved side up) and simply slice into wedges - as thickly or thinly as you like. If you wish to have cubes, simply slice the wedges into cubes. Repeat with other half and your ready to eat.