The fruits of the papaya grow on a tree-like plant in tropical countries and are usually sold as airborne goods in this country. The fruits of the plant, which belongs to the melon family, taste similar to muskmelons, but when ripe they also have a slight smell of apricots.

Harvesting and transport of papayas

Good quality papayas are only harvested when the skin has already turned slightly yellow. The papayas can only continue to ripen at their destination when they have started to ripen. On the other hand, it is usually not possible to ship fully ripe fruit due to the shipping time, since papayas can only be kept for a limited time, even when refrigerated, and are usually grown in the following countries:

  • Australia
  • India
  • Africa
  • Middle and South America

However, if a papaya is harvested unripe with a still completely green skin and sold in the supermarket in this country, you should better keep your hands off it. Completely unripe papayas do not ripen and have a very bitter taste.

The color of the papaya

The color of a papaya is a good indicator of ripeness. Fully ripe papayas are either solid yellow on the outside or have red spots and streaks. A papaya can't really be overripe, as it gets its maximum flavor when it's fully ripe, which can be perceived even more strongly when eaten fresh with a little lemon juice. However, papayas that have been stored for too long can start to ferment and then acquire an unpleasant smell and taste. This condition can usually not be recognized from the color, but it can be recognized with a pressure test on the outer skin.

The pressure test on papayas

With a quick pressure test, you can usually tell relatively easily when a papaya is suitable for consumption and when it is unripe or already spoiled. If you gently press your fingers against the outer skin of a papaya, it should yield slightly. However, if the fruit can be pressed in too easily, it is already too old and may no longer have a good taste.

Leave a papaya to ripen

If a papaya is still a little too unripe, you can let it ripen for a few more days at home. Wrap the already slightly yellowish fruit in some newspaper and place it in a warm place. You should then check every day when the ideal time for consumption is. If you cannot eat the fruit immediately, it is advisable to store it in the refrigerator for a few days. For a longer period of time, you can also dice the papaya pulp or freeze it in puree form for the preparation of desserts and smoothies.

tips and tricks

In this country, the smaller papayas with a weight of about one pound are usually offered in the trade. If you can find larger specimens, it is worth buying because of the superior taste of these fruits.

WK

Category:

Trees