Adventures in Produce

The Papaya

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I took a trip to the grocery store to pick up some items I needed. While I was there, I looked around the produce section to find a fruit or vegetable that I had never eaten. I scanned the usual selection of fruits and vegetables: apples, oranges, grapes, mangoes, and some green vegetables. I returned to the tropical fruit section and saw the papayas; my next task was to determine how to select the right one. Choosing the right papaya was a little tricky for me because I couldn't tell which ones were ripe and which ones were not. Which one was ripe, and which one was not?

I had tried nearly every variety of fruit and vegetable on the market. This tropical fruit resembled a small watermelon or a large pear. The colors ranged from green to orange and yellow. I didn't know how to tell if a papaya was ripe since I had never bought one, and no one was there to ask. I chose the one that was mostly green in color because it reminded me of a small watermelon. 

Since I was unfamiliar with papayas, I conducted some research on them. According to Britannica, the papaya, also known as "Carica papaya," is a large plant. It is from the "Caricaceae" family. The exact origin of the papaya is not well-documented, but it is believed to be native to Central America and Mexico. Although the papaya is thought to be indigenous to Mexico and Central America, its exact origin is unknown.                                                                                

The mildly sweet, tangy fruit taste is more pronounced in some climates than others. Papaya has potassium and antioxidants, as well as many other nutrients. Papaya health benefits include a reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease, and, most importantly, cancer, among other health benefits.  

 A family member informed me that I can consume the fruit on its own, incorporate it into smoothies, pair it with ice cream, or juice it. You can drink a papaya on its own, create delectable smoothies, pair it with ice cream, or use it in a juicer. Now it was time to perform my taste test; I cut it open and split it down the middle. 

The inside of the papaya was as described, and it contained many seeds in the center. After cutting out a small slice, I tasted the fruit, which had a slightly sweet melon flavor. I may need to get used to the taste, so I will make a smoothie or cut it up and add it to a salad. Since papayas are versatile, I will try different ways to prepare them and may find a recipe I might like.