Fruit

Papaya

Papaya (Carica papaya) is a large tropical berry with thin skin that ripens from green to yellow-orange, soft salmon-to-deep-orange flesh, and a central cavity packed with peppery black seeds. Ripe fruit is floral-sweet and melting; green papaya is firm, mildly vegetal, and the base of Thai som tam salads. Latex in green fruit contains papain, a protease used traditionally as a meat tenderiser and in processing. Scoop ripe flesh for breakfast, smoothies, and desserts; shred green fruit for salads and stews across Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Seeds are edible with a mustardy bite but optional. Soft fruit bruises easily—buy slightly firm and ripen at room temperature. Mexico, India, Brazil, and Southeast Asia lead production; Hawaiian Solo types are common in US trade.