What’s your favourite tropical fruit? Pineapple, mangoes or the oval-shaped papaya?
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Many Aussies aren’t aware of how to ripen, store and use the orange-fleshed fruit papaya. We spoke to an expert, Australian papaya president and grower, Gerard Kath, to answer some of our burning questions.
When is papaya in season in Australia?
Australian papaya is available all year round with increased supply during Spring and Autumn.
Where is papaya grown in Australia?
Red papaya is predominantly grown in the warmer tropical climates of Far North Queensland, specifically the areas of Tully, Innisfail to Mosman and Mareeba with new plantings in Lakeland. There are also farms in the Northern Territories and Western Australia.
Should papaya be refrigerated?
Ripe fruit should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within one or two days, for maximum flavour.
What is papaya called in Australia?
Papaya is still called papaya in Australia.
Is a pawpaw the same as a papaya?
They are actually two different varieties; the two fruits can be distinguished by their colour, shape and flavour. Papaya is usually pear shaped, has green/yellow skin with red flesh and a sweeter flavour, while papaw is usually round, has yellow/orange skin with yellow flesh and is less sweet.
How do you tell if a papaya is fully ripe?
To tell if a red papaya is ripe, the skin should be green/yellow. When cut, it should have bright orange/red flesh and will yield to gentle pressure .
What is the trick to ripen papaya?
To ripen your fruit, store at room temperature for a few days, or to speed up the process, place it in a paper bag with a banana.
How should you eat papaya?
There are so many ways to enjoy the tropical fruit, but some popular ways are:
- Pair your papaya with a squeeze of lime or citrus for a refreshing, low kilojoule snack. Add sea salt and hot paprika for an even zestier twist.
- Using papaya as a topping is another great way to eat it. Thinly sliced papaya on top of toast with goat’s cheese, with honey and mint is the perfect immune-boosting breakfast or snack.
- You can also add papaya to cakes, banana bread or muffins for something a little different this autumn.
- If you’re craving a cold sweet treat, frozen papaya dipped in chocolate is the ultimate after-school or holiday snack for the whole family.
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