Papaya fruit has papain in it and it comes in different colors and sizes. 40 types of papayas are cultivated and it is known world wide. They are pear shaped fruits with 20 inches long and its weight is about 1.1 to 2.3 pounds. The inner cavity of the fruit contains black round seeds which look like a gelatinous substance. The well known varieties in papayas are Kamiah, Mexican Red, Mexican Yellow, Solo, Sunrise, Sunset, Vista Solo and Waimanalo. The fruit contain papain which digests proteins.

It is a tree like plant with a green or purple stem which can grow to 1.8-3 m every year. The leaves emerge from the upper part of the stem. The lower trunk is the where fruits were born and it is 16-33 ft tall and the upper part of the stem can reach 105cm in length. The flowers are similar to plumaria but smaller in size. It is a short lived and fast growing plant.

The latex is obtained by making a cut on the surface of green fruits early morning and repeating four to five days until latex ceases to flow. The latex contains two proteolytic enzymes, papain and chymo papain. The latex coagulates quickly and dried at a low temperature and then ground to powder and it is marketed as meat tendizers and it has been used in medical applications. Latex is a milky sap like fluid found in 10% of flowering plants. It is used in mattresses, clothing etc.

Papaya fruits not only offer taste but also have some nutrients in it such as vitamin A, C, E, K, folate, dietary fiber, and minerals such as potassium, iron, and calcium. It has been proved that by eating papaya, heart diseases or controlled and the cholesterol level is reduced.

• It is used to remove digestive problem
• Used as a folk medicine to remove pain
• Leaves are used as a protective properties against malaria
• Protection against diabetic heart disease and cholesterol
• Acts as a anti inflammatory agent
• Protection for arthritis
• Promote lungs health
• Prevent cancer
• Reduces weight

The below table represents the information regarding the nutrition facts of papaya for a serving size of 140 gms.

Green Papaya salad

Ingredients

• 2 cups Papaya
• 1 cup cabbage
• Sugar
• 2 teaspoons sauce
• 2 teaspoons lime juice
• Chopped chilies as per your wish
• 2 small tomatoes

How to prepare

• In a plate keep the cabbage and papaya
• Take a small bowl and mix sugar, sauce, lime and chilies
• Garnish the tomatoes and decorate the salad as you like

• The seeds resembles pepper corn and used as a substitute for black pepper
• The bark from the tree is used to make rope
• It is steamed and eaten in parts of Asia
• Tea is made from papaya leaves
• Ethylene gas is used in making conventional papaya