Mexican Papaya

Inventory, 35 lbs : 21.60
This item was last sold on : 05/31/23

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Description/Taste

Mexican papayas are large fruits, averaging anywhere between 15 to 50 centimeters in length, depending on the variety, and have an oval to pyriform shape. The skin is thin, semi-smooth, and waxy, bearing variegated hues of bright yellow, orange, and pale green when ripe. Underneath the surface, the flesh ranges in color from red, orange, yellow to pink and has a soft, dense, and aqueous consistency. In the center of the flesh, there is also an elongated cavity filled with a thin layer of white fibrous tissue that encases many small, round, and shiny black seeds. The seeds are edible, containing a peppery, slightly bitter flavor, and have a crunchy, slippery texture as they are covered in a gelatinous coating. Mexican papayas have a mild, sweet, and musky flavor with tropical, fruity undertones.

Seasons/Availability

Mexican papayas are available year-round.

Current Facts

Mexican papayas, botanically classified as Carica papaya, are large, fragrant fruits native to tropical regions of Central America and Southern Mexico, belonging to the Caricaceae family. Papayas grow directly from the base of a large herb, just below the leaves, which is often incorrectly labeled as a tree. The fast-growing herb rivals the size of large trees, averaging three meters in height, and sometimes reaches up to nine meters in warm, humid climates. Mexican papayas are one of two main types of papayas found worldwide. The other is Hawaiian papayas. Within each type, there are many different varieties with varying appearances and flavors. Mexican papayas are much larger than Hawaiian papayas and generally have a milder flavor profile. The main Mexican papaya variety is known as the Maradol papaya, also found under the names Caribbean Red papaya, Caribbean Sunrise papaya, and Red papaya. Mexican papayas are favored for their soft, sweet flesh and are incorporated into a wide variety of fresh and cooked preparations worldwide.

Nutritional Value

Mexican papayas are an excellent source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that strengthens the immune system, reduces inflammation, and protects the cells against free radical damage. The fruits are also rich in calcium to protect bones and teeth, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, and are a source of folate, fiber, iron, and magnesium. In addition to vitamins and minerals, Mexican papayas contain a beneficial enzyme known as papain that helps break down proteins for more efficient digestion.

Applications

Mexican papayas have a sweet, musky flavor and soft texture well-suited for fresh and cooked applications. The entire fruit is edible, including the skin, flesh, and seeds, but many consumers choose to discard the skin or eat the seeds separately for the sweetest flavor. It is also important to note that some fruits may contain a musky smell that can be neutralized with a squeeze of lime juice. Mexican papayas can be sliced in half, removing the seeds for later use, and filled with yogurt or cottage cheese as a breakfast dish. The flesh can also be sliced and mixed into fruit bowls, cut and tossed into salads, chopped into fresh salsas, blended into smoothies and fruit juices, sliced and cooked in quesadillas, pureed into sauces for roasted meats, or used as filling for cakes and pies. In addition to fresh preparations, Mexican papaya can be used as a flavoring for ice cream, sorbets, marmalades, and jams, or the pureed fruit can be used as a natural meat tenderizer due to its papain content. Beyond ripe flesh, green papayas have a firm consistency that is popularly shredded and used in salads or chutney, or the flesh can be sliced and simmered into curries, soups, and stews. The seeds are also edible and contain a peppery, slightly bitter flavor. The seeds are primarily consumed fresh, or they can be dried, ground into a powder, and used as a pepper substitute. Mexican papayas pair well with other fruits, including watermelon, strawberries, pineapples, coconut, bananas, and oranges, jicama, honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, chili powder, meats such as poultry, pork, and beef, and seafood. Whole Mexican papayas are ripened at room temperature. Once ripe, the fruits should be used immediately for the best quality and flavor and will keep up to three days when stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Papayas were introduced to Asia through the Galeón de Manila, or the Manila Galleon, one of the first global trade routes that connected Asia to Europe. This route is also known as La Nao de la China, or the China Ships, and was operational between 1565 to 1815. The Manila Galleon route consisted of ports in China connecting to Manila, Philippines. From Manila, the ships would sail to Acapulco, Mexico, and connect to Veracruz and finally Seville, Spain. The trade route was the longest journey by sea during this era, spanning 15,000 miles, and one way of the trip took approximately 4 to 5 months. Ships traveling from Asia to Mexico would mainly carry luxury fabrics, swords, spices, and people, and ships traveling from Mexico to Asia would bring silver, cattle, and crops such as peppers, papaya, tobacco, and corn. Once papaya was introduced to the Philippines, it was widely planted and naturalized in the country’s warm, tropical climate. In the modern-day, papaya is a staple ingredient in both fresh and cooked applications throughout the Philippines. The most popular dishes include ensaladang papaya, or papaya salad, eating the fruits fresh, atchara, a crunchy side dish of unripe papaya pickled and mixed with ginger, peppers, onions, and garlic, or the unripe fruits are combined into filling for snacks such as lumpia. In addition to everyday applications, papayas are incorporated into dishes during the Dia del Galeón, a celebration held on October 8th in the Philippines to commemorate the Manilla Galleon trade route. This holiday marks the arrival of the first ship from the Philippines to Acapulco and was established to educate Filipinos of the historical importance that the route had on connecting global trade.

Geography/History

Papayas are native to Southern Mexico and Central America and have been growing wild since ancient times. The tropical fruits were later spread to South America, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Bermuda in the early ages. Once the Spaniards arrived in the New World, they transported papaya seeds to the Philippines in the 16th century, where the fruits were widely planted across the island and were later introduced into Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and other regions of Southeast Asia. Today Mexican papayas can be found growing in tropical climates worldwide and are cultivated for domestic use and international export. Papayas have also been naturalized in Central America, South America, the Caribbean, tropical Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, and Asia and are found growing wild or cultivated as a home garden plant.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Inn at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-381-8289
The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo	San Diego CA	858-487-1134
Ballast Point Rest. - Miramar	San Diego CA	858-790-6900
The Shores	La Jolla CA	858-459-8271
Brockton Villa Restaurant	San Diego CA	858-454-7393
La Jolla Country Club	San Diego CA	858-454-9601
La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen	Carlsbad CA	760-930-7063
Miguel's Cocina Carlsbad	Carlsbad CA	760-759-1843
Bernardo Heights Country Club	San Diego CA	858-487-4022
Aztec Shop Catering	San Diego CA	619 594-3576
The Wild Thyme Company	San Diego CA	858-527-0226
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC	San Marcos CA	508-320-6644
Tom Hams Light House	San Diego CA	619-291-9110
Palmys	San Diego CA	858-886-7111
Miguel's Cocina Pt Loma	San Diego CA	619-224-2401
Tribute Pizza (Bar)	San Diego CA	858-220-0030
Monarch School	San Diego CA	619-651-6604
Reata Glen	Ladera Ranch CA	949-545-2250
Barrel & Board	San Diego CA	619-379-2574
La Dona	San Diego CA	858-352-8134

the other 18...

Tahona (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Crown Point Catering	San Diego CA	619-223-1211
Saffron Thai LLC	San Diego CA	619-574-7737
Cal A Vie	Vista CA	760-945-2055
Vista Valley	Vista CA	760-758-2800
Justin Weiss	Bonsall CA	760-724-9875
Local Tap House & Kitchen	Oceanside CA	760-547-1469
Haggos Organic Tacos LLC	Encinitas CA	760-695-8870
Project Wildlife	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
Hotel Republic San Diego	San Diego CA	951-756-9357
Leichtag Foundation	Encinitas CA	760-230-6772
Alejandra's Cocina	Carlsbad CA	858-500-5075
Vi At La Jolla Village	San Diego CA	858-646-7700
Coronado Yacht Club	Coronado CA	619-435-1848
Farmer and The Seahorse	San Diego CA	619-302-3682
Brigantine Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-481-1166
Miguel's Old Town	San Diego CA	619-298-9840
The Monsaraz	San Diego CA	858-760-6228

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Mexican Papaya. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Mexico In My Kitchen		Papaya Drink
Foods For Long Life		Mexican Papaya Salad With Strawberries And Poppy Seed Dressing
Feasting at Home		MEXICAN PAPAYA SALAD
Food & Wine		Chicken and Papaya Stir-Fry
Panlasang Pinoy		Ginisang Papaya
Skinnytaste		Papaya Avocado Salad
The Foodie's Kitchen		Papaya-Coconut Bread
Angie's Recipes		Chicken Papaya Salad with Herb Parmesan Vinaigrette
Local Haven		Papaya Curd with Lemon
A Family Feast		Grilled Tropical Fruit Salad with Prosciutto

the other 2...

House of Nash Eats		Papaya Seed Dressing
Kawaling Pinoy Tasty Recipes		Papaya Lumpia

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