Papaya (Each)


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Highlights

  • Papaya with naturally sweet flesh and edible seeds
  • Good source of healthy fiber and folate
  • High amounts of healthy nutrients and antioxidants
  • Versatile fruit for cooking and eating

About this item

Boost your tropical fruit consumption with the delicious flavor and versatility of the papaya fruit. Papayas offer high amounts of antioxidants, vitamin C, E and beta carotene. Papaya provides tremendous versatility for eating and cooking. Originating in Central America and Southern regions of Mexico, the papaya is now grown all over the world and contains a special enzyme called papain. Papain is able to break down protein chains found in meats, which makes this fruit great for using as a natural meat tenderizer. 

How to Enjoy Papayas

Although you can eat this fruit at room temperature, it's best served cold and fresh from the fridge. Halve the fruit and scoop out and rinse the seeds from its center, then squeeze a little bit of lemon onto the halved fruit. The juice from the lemons helps bring out the natural, delicious flavors of the fruit. If you're looking to enjoy this delicious fruit in a meal, then consider preparing a green papaya salad. Combine the fruit with tomatoes, peppers, lime, garlic and some fish sauce to make a tasty, cold salad. Or use the tropical fruit to make a flavorful bread. And if you want dessert, blend fresh papaya with milk, sugar and vanilla to prepare a papaya milkshake.

How to Tell if a Papaya Is Ripe

You will know the fruit is ripe and ready to eat when it becomes predominantly yellow. The fruit is also able to ripen much faster if you put it in a paper bag with other fruits, like apples and bananas.

Pro Tips & Tricks: How to Make Your Fresh Fruits Last

We wouldn’t want you to throw out a good piece of fruit, all due to a storage mistake! Read our tips and tricks to find out how to get your fruit perfectly ripe and to stay fresh for as long as possible.

  • Bananas, pineapples, melons, mangos, plums, peaches, pears and papayas: These meant to be stored at room temperature in a cool spot with ample circulation until ripe. Once they’re ripe, transfer them to the fridge until you’re ready to eat them; this will slow down the ripening process.
  • Avocados and tomatoes: Yes, these are fruits! Store them at room temperature away from direct sunlight and use when ripe.
  • Grapes, lemons, oranges and limes: Store them in the fridge’s produce/crisper drawer until ready to use. For cut-up citrus fruits, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the fridge.
  • Apples: This is a toss-up. Apples can be stored in a cool, dry dark place (for long-term storage) or in the fridge (if you know you’ll eat them within a few weeks). Apples emit ethylene gas which will speed up the ripening process for other produce so it’s best to store them separately.
  • Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries: Transfer the berries from the clamshell packaging into a bag or container lined with a paper or cloth towel. Wash right before you’re ready to eat them. Pre-washing berries will cause them to get soggy.
  • Freeze any unused fruit by cutting them into bite-sized pieces, laying them on a flat sheet with parchment paper and placing them in the freezer. Once frozen, remove the fruit from sheet and store in a plastic bag or container.

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