What is a Papaya?
Papayas are large tropical fruits that belong to the berry family. They are cultivated across many warm regions. The two most commonly encountered varieties are Mexican and Hawaiian papayas. Hawaiian papayas, which typically weigh around one pound, are the types most often found in supermarkets. Much larger specimens—sometimes up to ten pounds—are usually from Mexico.
Inside, papaya flesh varies in color. Some varieties have sweet reddish-orange flesh (often called red papaya), while others display a yellow interior (sometimes referred to as yellow pawpaw in certain countries).
What Does Papaya Taste Like?
Ripe papaya ranges in flavor from mild to sweet, and is often compared to mango, apricot, or cantaloupe. Unripe (green) papaya has very little inherent flavor and generally adopts the tastes of the other ingredients it’s prepared with.
Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which has natural tenderizing properties. This enzyme can also produce a faint scent or texture that some people find unpleasant. Fans of papaya, especially those who grew up eating it, typically enjoy these characteristics; others new to the fruit may find them off-putting.
When fully ripe, papaya flesh is silky, creamy, and buttery in texture.
How to Eat Green Papaya
Green, unripe papaya is commonly used in tropical cuisines, especially across Southeast Asia. Either ripe or unripe papaya can be used in cooked preparations, but unripe papaya can cause digestive issues for some people. If you’re unsure how you’ll react, it’s safer to cook green papaya before eating it.
Papaya Seeds
The center of the papaya contains numerous small, black, shiny seeds. These seeds are edible, with a crunchy texture and a peppery flavor. They can be discarded or saved and used as a spice or in salad dressings as a bold finishing touch.
How to Use Papaya
Papaya works beautifully in tropical fruit salads, and it pairs well with many other fruits. It’s also excellent blended into smoothies or used in fruit salsas to add color, sweetness, and a soft texture.
How to Cut a Papaya
- Cut the papaya in half lengthwise.
- Scoop out the seeds; discard them or save them for use in dressings or as a seasoning.
- Peel the skin away with a vegetable peeler.
- Slice the papaya to your preference—crosswise, lengthwise, or into cubes.
Use Papaya in:
- Summer fruit and berry sangria
- Tropical fruit salsa
- Substitute diced papaya for cantaloupe in a corn, cucumber, and melon salsa
- Diced and added to pulled pork quesadillas for a sweet, juicy contrast