Papaya

Taiwan has been growing papayas for over centuries as it was first brought to Taiwan for cultivation during the late Qing Dynasty. It has become one of the most important fruits in the business. Back in the 1980s, there was vial disease that almost wiped the fruit off the surface of Asia. We are only able to still enjoy papayas today because Taiwanese researchers worked days and nights during the crisis and we finally bred a disease-resistance variety of new papayas and saved the industry.

Taste and Texture
Papaya has a wonderfully soft, butter-like consistency and a deliciously sweet, musky taste. Inside the inner cavity of the fruit are black, round seeds encased in a gelatinous-like substance. Papaya's seeds are edible, although their peppery flavor is somewhat bitter. 

Purchasing Principles
Select papayas that are firm with some yellow streaks and free of blemishes.Health 

Benefits of Papaya
Fat free, cholesterol free, sodium free, good source of potassium and folate, excellent source of Vitamin A and C.

Papayas offer not only the luscious taste and sunlit color of the tropics, but are rich sources of antioxidant nutrients such as carotenes, vitamin C and flavonoids; the B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid; and the minerals, potassium and magnesium; and fiber. Together, these nutrients promote the health of the cardiovascular system and also provide protection against colon cancer. In addition, papaya contains the digestive enzyme, papain, which is used like bromelain, a similar enzyme found in pineapple, to treat sports injuries, other causes of trauma, and allergies.