The papaya is a tropical fruit that is filled with Vitamins B, C, and other minerals. If you are interested in trying this superfood, try one of these many preparations for the best papaya-consuming experience.
How to Choose Papaya
- First, it’s important to know what the fruit looks like. Although the papaya fruit can weigh in up to a whopping 20 pounds, the average papaya in the market is about six inches long and weighs from 1 to 2 pounds.
- Choose papayas that are at least half yellow and feel somewhat soft when pressed. The skin should be smooth and free from bruises or soft spots.
- Select fruits that are mostly yellow with a bit of green and let them fully ripen at home.
- When fully ripe, the skin is bright yellow.
- Unripe fruit will be an overall light yellowish-green, but not completely green.
Benefits of Papaya
Papaya; is also excellent for aiding digestion and detoxification, soothes intestinal inflammation, fights parasites, and even some cancers. It is also effective against gas. It’s great for tenderizing meat and after surgery because of its anti-inflamatory and anti-coagulant properties: against bruises (apply a slice locally to alleviate swelling and discoloration).
How to Ripe Papaya
Ripen firm papayas at room temperature for 3 to 5 days until mostly yellow to yellowish-orange.
How to Store Papaya
- Ripe papayas should be refrigerated to slow down the ripening process.
- Store ripe fruit in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Papayas will ripen within a few days at room temperature, and even faster if you put them in a paper bag.
- Once ripe, this fruit will quickly turn to mush if not properly stored.
- Leave the skin on while the fruit ripens.
How to freeze fresh papaya: Place ripe, whole fruit in a plastic bag in the refrigerator, and it should last about a week.
To freeze, peel the papaya, slice lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Cut into pieces and pack into rigid containers or heavy-duty plastic freezer bags. Cover with a 30 percent sugar solution (4 cups water to 2 cups sugar) and freeze up to 10 months.
How to Eat Papaya (Recipe/Combinations)
Suggestions: For breakfast, with some lime-lemon wedges, or together with best friends, Mr. Mango and Mrs. Pineapple.
- Papaya, pineapple & mango all decorated with lime-lemon wedges and red currants- a real feast for the eyes and the tummy! A real beautifier!
- Exotic Fruit Salad: chunks of pineapple, papaya, star fruit, kiwi, mango, and lychees are spiked with white wine and rum and jewelled with pomegranate seeds.
- Papaya, pineapple & mango all decorated with lime-lemon wedges and red currants- a real feast for the eyes and the tummy! A real beautifier!
Nutrients and Calories
It contains papain and chymopapain, enzymes similar to bromelain (super anti-inflammatory) and is a good source of beta-carotene and vitamin C.
Calories: 26.1 kcal
Carbs: 6.6g
Protein: 0.4g
Fat: 0.1g
Fiber: 1.2g
Tips and Notes
Fresh Papaya like most fresh fruit does not last very long once it has ripened. One of the easiest ways to preserve fresh Papaya is to freeze it.