Papaya has become a frequent guest at our tables. Despite the fact that this sweet and juicy fruit does not have a very pronounced taste, it is successfully used in cooking. Papaya is a large, elongated fruit, usually yellow-green in color. The ripe fruit pulp has a color from orange to red, depending on the variety. Green fruits are used in Thai cuisine. How to eat papaya and where is it grown?
From ancient times this fruit was cultivated in South America. Then it spread throughout the tropical zone. Now there are many varieties of papaya, but the most popular are dark green elongated fruits with red flesh and yellow rounded fruits with bright orange flesh.
Some countries are engaged in the cultivation of plantations where papaya grows, and its export to other states.
This fruit grows on a palm tree that has no branches. The height of this tree reaches 10 meters. An umbrella of leaves with long petioles crowns it from above. Leaves reach 70 centimeters in diameter. At their base, flowers develop that turn into large-sized fruits (20-40 centimeters long and up to 30 centimeters in diameter). Fruits may vary in size and color.
You need to know how to eat papaya, but it is equally important to choose the right fruit. It should be tight to the touch. The peel of a ripe papaya is greenish-orange. It is smooth and slightly soft. Choosing such a fruit, you can enjoy its sweet and juicy pulp.
If the papaya fruit is not ripe, then you need to put it in a dark and fairly dry place where it ripens. Ripe fruits are stored in the refrigerator, but not more than a week.
How to eat papaya? To begin with, peel the peel, then the fruit is cut lengthwise into two halves. After this, seeds are removed, which are in large quantities inside. Now the papaya is ready to eat.
Despite its sweet taste, it is a low-calorie product. 100 grams of pulp contains only 39 calories.
Not many people know what papaya is useful for and use it only because of its excellent taste. However, this fruit contains a lot of vitamins and nutrients. It consists of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, proteins, phosphorus, potassium, iron, sodium and calcium.
Papaya can be attributed to alkaline fruits. Therefore, its use has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract. It is able to neutralize high acidity and relieve heartburn.
These fruits are used as an aid in the treatment of gastritis. They also tone the nervous system and restore strength after an illness.
But this fruit is of particular value because of the papain enzyme contained in it. It is present both in fruits and in leaves. By the nature of its action, it resembles gastric juice. Once in the body, papain breaks down proteins and fats, improves digestion, eliminates constipation, prevents flatulence and alleviates pain in gastritis and ulcers.
Papaya leaves and fruits are used for pickling meat. Even the toughest and oldest meat will become soft and tender.
Now you know how papaya is eaten and what beneficial properties it has. With the help of this fruit you can not only give yourself pleasure, but also make your body more healthy.