Papaya is a tropical fruit rich in vitamins B, C, and minerals. If you are curious to taste this super nourishment, try one of the many preparations that will allow you to enjoy your papaya to the full.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Choose the Papaya
Step 1. Choose local fruit
Just like all other fruit, papaya is best when grown and harvested on site. If it is available in your area buy it or collect it, it will taste better. If not, try to pick an imported fruit from the area closest to you to make sure it's fresh and tasty.
Step 2. Try the papaya kapaho
It grows in Hawaii and Costa Rica and is recognized for its small to medium fruit with a sweet yellow flesh.
Step 3. Try the Mexican papaya
It is larger than kapaho and has an orange or red pulp. Mexican papayas have a bland or more bitter taste.
Method 2 of 3: Enjoy natural papaya
Step 1. Put it in the refrigerator
Although papayas can be eaten at room temperature, they taste better when they are cold. Put it whole or cut in half in the refrigerator.
Step 2. Cut the fruit in half
Papayas are very soft and can be carved with a spoon, but for an even surface, use a small knife. Extract and toss the black seeds in the center using a spoon.
Step 3. Rinse the inside
Run under cold running water to remove any residue of seeds or crushed pulp. Arrange the fruit on a plate.
Step 4. Cut a quarter of a lemon or lime
Citric acid naturally enhances the taste of papaya. Squeeze the juice onto the fruit.
Step 5. Scoop out the pulp with a spoon
If the papaya is ripe it should be very easy to eat, as the pulp should come off easily.
Method 3 of 3: Cooking with papaya
Step 1. Try a papaya salad
A typical Thai recipe mixes papaya salad with tomatoes, chillies, lime, garlic and fish sauce. Serve cold as an appetizer.
Step 2. Make a papaya bread
Similar to banana or zucchini bread, papaya bread is sweet, with fresh fruit, nuts and spices.
Step 3. Make a sorbet
The sorbet is a fruit-based ice cream perfect for a hot day. Make papaya sorbet by mixing the fruit with water, sugar, and lemon juice before placing in the freezer. Serve with fresh papaya chunks for a poolside snack.
Step 4. Make a smoothie
For a smoothie with an edge, mix fresh papaya with milk, sugar, and vanilla. Serve in a chilled glass, preferably with a collapsible straw.
Advice
- The seeds are also edible but they are bitter.
- Although you cannot eat the peel, it is always best to wash the papaya (like all other fruit) before consuming it.
- Try to eat papaya only in its season. This will ensure you have maximum taste.
