Papaya

The Papaya fruit look similar to a melon and may weigh between 400 and 600 grams. They are shaped round, ovoid and longish, but also cylindrical with 5 more or less prominent ribs lengthwise. The smooth, leathery and sensitive skin of the papaya has a yellow green to yellow orange colour when ripe. The pale to golden yellow, salmon pink to red pulp is very soft and has the consistency of a melon or pumpkin. The ripe papaya has a melony, very sweet taste without specific aroma, and is frequently described as slightly bland, due to the fact that it does not have any fruit acid. For that reason it is suggested to add lime juice to the serving which brings out the full aroma of the fruit. The flesh contains a large cavity with many seeds of peppercorn to cherrystone size, covered in a jelly-like substance.

The original home of the papaya probably is tropical Central America and Southern Mexico. Today, the fruit may be found in nearly all subtropical and frost-free tropical regions. The most important growers are: South America (Brazil), Asia, Africa, North and Central America, and Oceania. With more than 5 million tons, Brazil produces a third of the global production.