Papaya is a tropical fruit which is considered to be one of the healthiest fruits in the world.
Previously considered as an exotic fruit, originating in Southern Mexico and Central America, Papaya is not grown almost worldwide round the year.
Papaya (technically a berry) is a pear shaped fruit. Ripe papaya flesh is orange, soft and fleshy and tastes sweet and unripe papaya flesh is crunchy and white in colour and will have little to no flavor.
Average length of a papaya can be 20 – 40 cm (7.5 – 16 inches) and average diameter of papaya can be 10 -20 cm (4-8 inches). Average weight of a papaya fruit can range from 150 to 300 grams ( 5.3 – 105 ounces or 0.3 – 0.6 pounds).
Scientific name of Papaya
Carica Papaya
Other names of Papaya
- Papaw
- Pawpaw
- Papita
Calories by source in Papaya
- Calories by carbohydrate in Papaya = 91%
- Calories by fat in Papaya = 5%
- Calories by protein in Papaya = 4%
Fats and Fatty Acid profile of Papaya
- Polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) in Papaya = 28%
- Saturated fat (SFA) in Papaya = 38%
- Monounsaturated fat (MUFA) in Papaya = 34%
Nutrition facts of Papaya
*Serving size = 100 grams = 3.55 Ounces = 1/2 cup
*DV= % Daily Value (%DV indicates how much nutrients contribute to a person’s daily diet from a serving of a food. DV assists you in determining whether or not a serving of food is high or low in a particular nutrient.)
| Nutrient | Amount | Unit | DV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 43 | KCAL | |
| Fat | 0.26 | GRAM | 0% |
| Protein | 0.47 | GRAM | 1% |
| Carbohydrate | 10.82 | GRAM | 4% |
Detailed vitamin profile of Papaya, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D, Folate, Niacin, Thiamin, and Riboflavin is shown in the chart.
Detailed mineral profile of Papaya, Sodium(Na), Calcium(Ca), Copper(Cu), Iron(Fe), Magnesium(Mg), Selenium(Se), Phosphorus(P), Potassium(K) and Zinc(Zn) is shown the chart.
Check freshness in Papaya
- Choose papaya with semi shiny and unblemished skin
- Ripe papaya is mostly yellow in color with small patches of green
- Avoid papaya with darker color and spotty brown skin
- Few patches of spots can be cut off and fruit can still be consumed but a papaya with browning all over should be avoided
- Bad papaya has rotten smell
- Unripe papaya has no flavor
Availability of Papaya
- Generally available round the year
How to store Papaya
- Unripe green papaya can be stored at room temperature to ripen
- Avoid direct sunlight and heat while storing unripe papaya
- Ripe papaya can be stored at room temperature for almost 2 days. after that it will start becoming soggy and over ripen
- Uncut whole papaya can be stored in refrigerator for about 2-3 weeks
- Refrigeration will slow down ripening of papaya but not stop it
- Cut pieces of papaya can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. After that the flesh will start drying loosing the texture
- Peeled papaya pieces can be stored in freezer for 10-12 months (using a freezer safe bag for storage is recommended)
- Avoid storing papaya with ethylene producing fruits like apple and banana to prevent premature ripening
- Avoid storing unripe papaya pieces in freezer. The flesh might taste bitter or tasteless
Complete nutrition facts of Papaya
Click on the link HERE to download high quality, high resolution and print ready PDF version of the Papaya nutrition chart/infographic.
