In modern times, it is certainly true that we have never so much choice – especially when it comes to the fruit and vegetables we consume on a regular basis.
One example is the papaya – once a rare and exotic fruit, but now one that has become more and more common around the world.
But what exactly is papaya, and what is the best way to cut it ready for eating?
What Is Papaya?
Also known as ‘papaw’, and ‘pawpaw’, papaya is the fruit grown on the Carica papaya plant – a species of tree first domesticated in Mesoamerica, and now found throughout Mexico and Central America.
In modern times however, the plant is grown throughout numerous tropical and subtropical regions, including India, which is one of the largest growers of papaya in the modern world.
Characterized by a green/yellow outer skin, a shape that resembles a cross between a mango and a lemon, and an interior orange flesh laden with small black seeds, papaya is certainly a strange and unique looking fruit, and one that can prove confusing when it comes to cutting and eating.
What Does Papaya Taste Like?
Mild and fairly sweet in flavor, the papaya is characterized by a creamy, buttery texture that has a ‘melt in your mouth’ feeling to it.
This makes it great for eating, mixing into dishes and baking, as well as making juice and other drinks – and very much explains why the fruit is so versatile and widely used.
How Do You Cut Papaya?
One question that confuses many people however, is which parts of the fruit you can actually eat, and which bits you need to cut off when preparing it.
Like most forms of fruit, you can actually eat the entire papaya – including the skin and the seeds – and many of the components are distinctly rich in fiber and other nutrients.
However, most people just eat the flesh inside, and if this is your plan, then you will first need to cut the fruit in half with a sharp knife – usually lengthwise for ease.
You then need to scoop the seeds out from inside the fruit using a spoon or some other implement, and then remove the skin.
You can then slice or cube the fruit similar to how you would with a mango – leaving small, edible cubes of flesh that are both easy and delicious to eat.
Is Papaya Healthy?
Like all fruit, papaya has many things to offer in terms of health and nutrition – possessing high levels of numerous different nutrients and minerals.
This not only makes the papaya a tasty and satisfying treat, but also a great addition to any balanced, healthy diet.
What Benefits Does Papaya Have?
As you might imagine, with a healthy fruit like papaya, there are numerous benefits that it brings to the consumer.
Loaded With Nutrients
Firstly, papaya is laden with nutrients, including:
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Vitamin C
Vitamin A
Vitamin B1, B3, & B5
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
These have numerous benefits for many bodily functions – including improving immune function, facilitating healthy digestion, and reducing the risk of numerous severe conditions and illnesses.
High In Antioxidants
Papaya is also rich in antioxidants, which are known to be beneficial for numerous chronic illnesses, as well as the effects of aging.
As human beings, we age due to oxidation within our cells. As such, consuming frequent antioxidants can help to reduce the visible and internal signs of aging, and keep us looking younger for longer.
They can also help to reduce the potential for cancer development, as well as things like high blood pressure and heart disease.
Anti-Cancer Properties
It is also thought that papaya has anti-cancer properties – something that can be deduced by the presence of lycopene, which is found within papaya in rich supply.
This is not only thought to help reduce the risk of cancer rearing its ugly head, but is also thought to have distinct advantages for those suffering from it too.
Beneficial For Inflammation
It is also thought to have distinct anti-inflammatory properties – something that can be good for all manner of chronic conditions (such as arthritis, and fibromyalgia), as well as age-associated mobility issues that might arise.
Improving Digestion
Papaya is also thought to be good for improving digestion – something that only makes us more regular with our bowel movements, but also improves our gut health, something that’s known to have numerous benefits towards our health and wellbeing.
As such, it is thought to ease bloating, and help conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
Final Thoughts
And there we have it, everything you need to know about papaya, what it tastes like, and the best way to cut it.
It’s true that, in recent times, we have never had so much choice when it comes to fruit and vegetables – allowing us to be far more adventurous with the food we eat, and introduce new flavors into our palette.
However, with this comes confusion – especially when it comes to which parts of the fruit can be eaten, and which cannot.
So if you have purchased papaya, and want to know how to cut it, then be sure to follow these handy tips. Something tells me you won’t be disappointed!
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we know a little more about papaya, and the best way to cut it ready for eating, it is now time for us to answer some frequently asked questions that you might be interested in.
Is Papaya Expensive?
This depends entirely on where you purchase them from. Unfortunately, as they are seldom grown in western countries like the United States and the UK, they tend to be more expensive.
Is Papaya Hard To Find?
While papaya was once fairly uncommon, in recent times is has become far more popular and widespread – especially in larger cities within the United States.
Have you ever made something so delicious that you wished you could savor it forever?
Only to find that the recipe has now mysteriously vanished from your phone and the entirety of the internet. Yep, there’s not much more painful than that.
Hi, my name is Mark Williams and I have been infatuated with cooking since I was young. I would beg my mother to pull a chair up to the counter so I could watch what she was doing.
