Papaya

Home / Origin:

The original home of the papaya probably is tropical Central America and Southern Mexico. Today, the fruit may be found in nearly all subtropical and frost-free tropical regions. The most important growers are: South America (Brazil), Asia, Africa, North and Central America, and Oceania. With more than 5 million tons, Brazil produces a third of the global production.

Description:

Papayas are the fruit of a tree-like herb that grows between 2 and 10 m high. The fruit, fleshy berries, looks similar to a melon and may weigh between 400 and 600 grams. They are shaped round, ovoid and longish, but also cylindrical with 5 more or less prominent ribs lengthwise. The smooth, leathery and sensitive skin of the papaya has a yellow green to yellow orange colour when ripe. The pale to golden yellow, salmon pink to red pulp is very soft and has the consistency of a melon or pumpkin. The ripe papaya has a melony, very sweet taste without specific aroma, and is frequently described as slightly bland, due to the fact that it does not have any fruit acid. The flesh contains a large cavity with many seeds of peppercorn to cherrystone size, covered in a jelly-like substance. Europeans consider these seeds as inedible. In tropical countries however, they are frequently used against intestinal parasites. The fruit is very rich in provitamin A and the vitamins B1, B2, B5 and C.

Marketing :

The papaya is available year round, because it is harvested in a 'quarter-ripe' condition and ripens during the transport at 20-25° C . It may also fully ripen within 1 to 2 days at the consumer's home when the fruit is wrapped in newspaper.. Papayas are quite sensitive to pressure and should be handled carefully. The fruit may be stored at 10-13° C and a relative humidity of 85-95% for a maximum of 2 weeks. If the temperature falls below 7-8° C, it suffers frost damage.

Use:

In the countries of origin, unripe papayas are cooked as vegetable, here it is eaten ripe and raw. The fruit is ready to be eaten, when the skin gives when pressed lightly. It is halved lengthwise, the seeds are scratched out and the pulp is sprinkled with some lemon juice. The fruit may also be peeled, diced or sliced and seasoned with sugar and lemon or lime juice. A very popular appetizer is the papaya when stuffed with smoked ham or shrimps. Other uses are fruit salads, spicy salads with chicken, sausage, dill pickles etc.