We’re going to unlock the secrets to handling papaya like a pro! Learn how to cut a papaya like an expert, select the ripest ones, and store them for peak freshness. Plus, discover delicious ways to enjoy this tropical fruit.
Table of Contents
How to Choose a Ripe Papaya
If you’ve never had a papaya, it can be difficult to know how to choose one that’s ready to eat. The first thing to look at is the fruit’s skin. An unripe papaya will be pale green and hard to the touch.
As papayas ripen, they slowly turn from green to yellow or bright orange. When a papaya is ripe, it will be yellow and just a little soft to the touch. In addition, it will have black seeds when you slice into it. That’s when you know it’s ready to eat!
You’ll know you’ve waited too long if your papaya begins to feel mushy, the skin becomes discolored, and the flesh (or part you eat) is bland and mealy.
How to Cut a Papaya
While it may seem intimidating if you’ve never done it before, cutting papayas is actually really easy! All you need is a sharp knife, a cutting board, and a vegetable peeler before you begin.
- Use a sharp knife to trim both ends of the fruit, cutting off the top and bottom.
- Slice the papaya in half lengthwise.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp in the center. Just be careful not to dig too deep and scoop out the flesh!
- Use a vegetable peeler or a knife to peel off the skin.
- Cut each half of the fruit lengthwise into long strips.
- Rotate the papaya, and slice again width-wise to create bite-sized cubes.
- Enjoy!
How to Serve Papaya
The most popular way to serve papaya is with a splash of lime juice. This helps remove any smell and enhances the sweetness of the fruit. However, it’s also great to add to fruit medleys, fruit salad, green salads, salsas, or smoothies!
How to Store
- You can store ripe, uncut papayas in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Once cut, you can transfer papaya cubes to an airtight container, and store them in the fridge for up to three days.
Can I Freeze Cut Papaya?
- Yes, you can freeze-cut papaya for up to eight months.
- To do so, arrange the pieces on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and place them in the freezer until solid. Then, transfer the fruit to a sealable bag until you’re ready to use it.
Common Questions About How to Cut a Papaya
The texture and flavor of the fruit can vary depending on the variety, ripeness, and where it was grown. However, in general, papaya is described as being a refreshing tropical fruit that tastes like a cross between a sweet melon and mango or peaches.
Technically, the seeds are edible. However, we recommend discarding them as they tend to be hard, bitter, and not very pleasant to eat.
Yes, we recommend removing the skin before slicing the papaya into cubes. This makes it much easier to remove.
No, papaya skin contains latex and is generally not safe to eat.
Yes! Raw papaya is not only delicious but nutritious, too. For example, papaya is rich in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin A.
In addition, papaya contains an enzyme called papain that can help reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and ease muscle soreness. As a result, you can find a plethora of papaya recipes online.
Papaya can help regulate digestion and can prevent stomach discomfort throughout the day.
More Kitchen Guides
- How to Cut a Tomato (3 Ways)
- How to Cook Quinoa (3 Ways)
- How to Store Parsley
- How to Cook a Whole Chicken
How to Cut a Papaya
Ingredients
- 1 papaya
Instructions
- Use a sharp knife to trim both ends off the fruit.1 papaya
- Slice the papaya in half lengthwise.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp in the center.
- Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin.
- Cut each half of the fruit lengthwise into long strips.
- Rotate the papaya, and slice again width wise to create bite-sized cubes.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Equipment
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
