Papaya is a fruit native to the countries in Central America, found mostly Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua. Over the years many additional tropical regions; including the Caribbean islands, Southeast Asia, South Africa and the Philippines have starting growing the papaya tree-like plant. The papaya plant does grow quite tall producing large leaves.
The fruit is ripe when it reaches a golden yellow-orange color, slightly soft to the touch with a slight pleasant fragrance. If there is still some green appearance on the skin, give it about one to two days at room temperature and it will ripen. Peel the skin and remove the seeds to eat this fruit raw. Its taste appears to be a blend of a peach and pineapple with a very juicy, sweet flavor.
This tropical fruit is rich in vitamins, including vitamins A, C, E, G, iron, calcium, along with folic acid and potassium. Another benefit is the papaya juice, the papain enzyme, might help ease intestinal digestion problems in some people.
Besides being of internal benefit, there are external skin uses. Using the fleshy portion of the papaya skin can promotion in the healing of wounds to your skin and clear general skin problems. By exfoliating the skin it helps remove many dead skin cells.
When eating the raw fruit, which must be ripe, it is good served sliced and a dash of lemon juice on it. Don’t eat the seeds but if one or two remain, it is OK, just note the peppery taste of the seed. The papaya can be also added as a topping on ice cream or mixed with other fruits, especially strawberries, pineapples and bananas. Eating only half a papaya is just 70 calories.
Fortunately the papaya is available in most grocery stores all year long and generally weights 1 to 2 pounds. Many of those for American markets are grown in Hawaii. Once purchased, keep a ripe papaya in the refrigerator and it will last longer, possibly a week.
The good thing is papaya can be prepared in countless ways, not just as cut raw fruit. Imagine having papaya cookies, relish, salad, pie, bread, custard, or served with pork, shrimp or meats. There recipes are available on the Internet for a variety of papaya dishes. Once your have tried it just a raw fruit, you will want to experiment using the papaya in many other forms.
The peak of the papaya season is May through July. So with the month of June being National Papaya Month, if you have not tried this sweet, healthful treat, make a point to do soon. It could be an improvement inside and out for you. If you miss trying it in June, the month of September is also known as Papaya Month.
Seven Benefits to Eating Papaya are found in this Associated Content article.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papaya
http://www.recipes4us.co.uk/National%20Papaya%20Month.htm
