The fruits of the papaya grow on a tree-like plant in tropical countries and are usually sold in this country as airborne goods. The fruits of the plant, which belongs to the melon family, taste similar to sugar melons, but when ripe they also have a slight smell of apricots.
When is a papaya ripe and how do I know?
To tell if a papaya is ripe, pay attention to the color of the peel, which is usually yellow-orange or with red spots, and the pressure test: The fruit should give slightly when pressed lightly, but not be too soft. Unripe papayas can ripen at room temperature.
Papaya harvesting and transportation
Good quality papayas are only harvested when the peel is already slightly yellow. The papayas can only continue to ripen at their destination when signs of ripeness have begun. On the other hand, shipping fully ripe fruits is usually not possible due to the shipping time, as papayas only last for a limited time even when refrigerated and are usually grown in the following countries:
- Australia
- India
- Africa
- Central and South America
However, if a papaya is harvested unripe with a completely green shell and is sold in the supermarket in this country, you should better stay away from it. Completely unripe papayas do not ripen and have a very bitter taste.
The color of papaya
The color of a papaya is a good indicator of ripeness. Fully ripe papayas are either solidly yellow on the outside or have red spots and stripes. A papaya cannot actually be overripe because when it is fully ripe it gets its maximum flavor, which can be felt even more strongly when eaten fresh with a little lemon juice. However, papayas that have been stored for too long can begin to ferment and then acquire an unpleasant smell and taste. This condition cannot usually be recognized by the color, but it can be recognized with a pressure test on the outer skin.
The pressure test for 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 press lightly with your fingers against the outer skin of a papaya, it should give slightly. However, if the fruit is pressed in too easily, it is already too old and may no longer have a good taste.
Let a papaya ripen again
If a papaya is still a little too unripe, you can let it ripen at home for a few more days. To do this, wrap the 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 entire fruit straight away, it is a good idea to store it in the fridge for a few days. For a longer period of time, you can also freeze the papaya pulp cut into cubes or in pureed form for the preparation of desserts and smoothies.
Tips & Tricks
In this country, the smaller papayas weighing around one pound are usually sold in stores. If you can find larger specimens, they are worth buying due to the superior taste of these fruits.
