Fruit of the Angels PAPAYA

Name It
Common Names

Name It
Scientific Name

Origin
believed to be native to southern Mexico and neighboring Central America. now present in every tropical and subtropical country.

Papaya
Genus Carica: 1 species: from Central America Other related species, from South America, in: genus Vasconcella: 21species, all from tropical America Genus Jacaratia: 7 species

Distribution
Papaya can be found all year long with the peak season being early summer and fall Most of the papayas imported come from Hawaii, but smaller quantities from Florida, California, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Central and South American countries are becoming more available.

Distribution
There are two types of papayas

the Hawaiian

the Mexican

The Hawaiian varieties also known as Solo papayas, are found most often in supermarkets These fruits are pear shaped, weigh about a pound each, and have yellow skin when ripe

Distribution
the Hawaiian the Mexican

The flesh is bright orange or pinkish, Mexican varieties are not as common but can be on the in Latino supermarkets depending found variety Mexican papayas are much larger than the Hawaiian types and can weigh up to 20 pounds and be more than 15 inches long

3 Major Producers

India Mexico Nigeria

Related species: Vasconcella x heilbornii (syn. Carica pentagona): babaco: seedless fruit, higher elevations Jacaratia spinosa: wild papaya, premontane moist forests in Central America

3 Major Exporters

Mexico (75,000) Malaysia (70,000 tons) Brazil (40,000 tons)

Description
Growth Habit
short-lived, fast-growing, woody, large herb to 10 or 12 feet in height generally branches only when injured. All parts contain latex the hollow green or deep purple trunk is straight and cylindrical with prominent leaf scars

Description
Growth Habit
its diameter may be from 2 or 3 inches to over a foot at the base. not a tree but a large herb

Description
Foliage
the leaves emerge directly from the upper part of the stem in a spiral on nearly horizontal petioles 1 to 3-1/2 feet long the blade, deeply divided into 5 to 9 main segments, varies from 1 to 2 feet in width, and has prominent yellowish ribs and veins

Description
Foliage
the life of a leaf is 4 to 6 months

Description
Flower
the five-petalled flowers are fleshy, waxy and slightly fragrant some plants bear only short-stalked female flowers, or bisexual (perfect) flowers also on short stalks, while others may bear only male flowers, clustered on panicles 5 or 6 feet long

Description
Flower
some plants may have both male and female flowers male or bisexual plants may change completely to female plants after being beheaded

Description
Fruit and Seed
a properly ripened papaya is juicy, sweetish and somewhat like a cantaloupe in flavor the fruit (and leaves) contain papain which helps digestion and is used to tenderize meat. The edible seeds have a spicy flavor somewhat reminiscent of black pepper.

Fruiting plant

Female plant

Male plant

Papaya, its history and production

Originated in lowlands of eastern Central America or northwestern South America. Probably was cultivated widely in Mexico and Central America prior to 1492. After the conquest of the Americas, distributed by Spanish and became widely grown in all tropics Selection for larger fruit, dioecy. Plant breeders have produced varieties to match local preferences for fruit size, shape, flesh color, and flavor.

Importance
some cultures call the papaya tree "the medicinal tree" because it's seeds and leaves have been used to make medicine the papaya is not only for food, but also for healing wounds, for supporting a weak liver, for healing constipation, against worms and parasites, for healing inflammation and skin problems and even for treating cancer

Importance
the papaya contains a lot of minerals like Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium and is the most alkaline fruit papaya contains vitamin A which accelerates the formation of new cells, it protects the external layers of the skin, vitamin c is an antioxidant, and builds capillary strength, protein the skin can be benefited with improved smoothness, softness, and resiliency

Importance
green papaya may increase nutrient absorption and help to create a healthier intestinal tract green papaya has also been used for over acidity or borderline ulcers as less stomach acid is required for digestion when abundant enzymes are ingested

Importance
papaya is good for many digestive disorders and is excellent for improving poor digestion. It has also been recommended as part of the treatment for cancer. Therapeutically it can often be combined with pineapple juice in which there is another important enzyme, bromelain

The Facts
papaya contains papain, a substance identical to digestive compounds produced by the pancreas

The Facts
papayas that are onequarter to one-half ripe should keep for one to two weeks

Papaya, a tropical fruit high in vitamins C & A, is an important food crop worldwide.and the 2nd largest export crop in Hawaii.

The Facts
This tree fruit is a berry to the botanist

The Facts
papaya is considered as one of the favorite fruits that abound all year round

The Facts
the black seeds found inside a papaya are edible and have a spicy, pepper-like flavor

The Facts
papaya is rated as one of the most nutritious fruits papaya is high in vitamin C and a good source of fiber and folate