PAPAYA

Wednesday, 19 February, 2020 07:49:53 PM

Agriculture > Fruits > PAPAYA

Papaya fruit originate in South America. But it has grown well in Asia and is considered almost native. This fruit is noted for its flavor and the flesh is usually orange to reddish in color. The fruit can be eaten fresh or chilled. Just add a squeeze of lime or lemon for added taste.

Papaya Fruits

The papaya is the fruit of the tree Carica papaya, in the genus Carica.

Originally from southern Mexico, Central America and northern South America, the papaya is now cultivated in most tropical countries.

It is a small unbranched tree, the single stem growing to 5-10 m tall, with the spirally arranged leaves confined to the top of the trunk; the lower trunk is conspicuously scarred with the leaf scars of where older leaves and fruit were borne. The leaves are large, 50-70 cm diameter, deeply palmately lobed with 7 lobes. The flowers are produced in the axils of the leaves, maturing into the large 15-45 cm long, 10-30 cm diameter fruit. The fruit is ripe when it feels soft (like a ripe avocado or a bit softer) and its skin has attained an amber to orange hue.

Papaya is rich in an enzyme called papain, a protease which is useful in tenderizing meat and other proteins. Its utility is in breaking down the tough meat fibers and has been utilized for thousands of years in its native South America. It is included as a component in powdered meat tenderizers.

The black seeds are edible, and have a sharp, spicy taste. They are sometimes ground up and used as a substitute for black pepper.

Papaya Leaves

Papaya - From flower to fruit

Flowers of Male and Female Papaya Trees

MALE	FEMALE
Flowers of a Male Papaya Tree	Flowers of a Female Papaya Tree