How to Cut a Papaya with Step-by-Step Instructions

A papaya is a soft tropical fruit, also known as pawpaw. While the yellow-green exterior of the papaya is ordinary, the real surprise comes when you cut the papaya open. It has soft, aromatic flesh ranging from yellow to orange-red and edible black seeds with a peppery flavor. The fruit is slightly sweet and has a more pronounced taste when it is ripe.

Knowing how to cut papaya open is crucial if you want to enjoy the flesh of the fruit. We’ll go over the best techniques below so you can enjoy papaya any time you get a craving.

When and how to buy a papaya

Papayas are available throughout the year and are in peak season during summer and fall. You can buy papaya at an international food market or find it in the produce section of your local grocery store.

When buying papaya, choose some fruit with skin that has slight yellow tones and gives slightly when pressed gently. This means the fruit is ripening and will be ready to cut once it becomes more yellow.

How to cut a papaya step-by-step

Learning how to cut papaya isn’t hard if you have the proper instructions. It all starts with choosing a quality piece of fruit that’s ripe and ready to be eaten. Follow these instructions if you need some guidance when cutting papaya.

1. Choose a ripe papaya

When buying papaya, choose a fruit with skin that has turned at least 80% yellow from green. This means that the fruit is ripe and ready to eat.

Gently push down on the skin with your thumb, and the fruit should give in to the slight pressure. If the flesh feels soft and mushy and you notice any black spots or brown bruises, then the papaya is overripe. If you also notice a fermented odor, discard the fruit.

2. Rinse the fruit

It is advised not to eat papaya skin, even though it is edible, as, during harvest, it can come in contact with latex produced by the papaya tree. This latex can cause stomach irritation.

Wash the fruit before cutting to eliminate any contaminants on the skin and prevent them from getting onto the flesh when you cut the fruit. Rinse under clean running water and then pat dry the fruit with a clean cloth or paper towel.

3. Slice papaya in half

Place the papaya on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice the top of the fruit (the part that connects to the stem) crosswise. Cut the fruit in half lengthwise.

4. Remove the seeds

Holding half a papaya with one hand, gently scoop out the black seeds from the center of the fruit with a spoon. Do not press hard into the flesh, or you will lose quite a bit of the fruit.

5. Scoop the flesh

You can scoop the flesh with a spoon and enjoy the fruit or used an ice cream scoop to create “papaya balls” to use in any recipe or enjoy on its own.

6. Peel the skin

You can also cut the papaya into cubes or make slices. After washing the fruit, peel the skin before cutting.

To do this, rest and hold the fruit vertically on the flat side (where it has been cut). Using a paring knife, lightly cut along the skin in long slices. Be sure not to cut too deep, or you will lose a substantial amount of fruit. You can also cut the papaya into slices before peeling and then use a knife to peel the skin from the slices.

If you’re not comfortable with a knife, try using a peeler to peel the skin gently.

7. Cut the fruit

Once you have removed the skin, you can slice the fruit as thick or thin as you like. To cut into cubes, cut each half of the fruit lengthwise into long strips. Then cut sideways into bite-size cubes.

How to eat a papaya

Once the papaya is cut, it is best to eat it immediately. While it tastes good at room temperature, some people like to eat it chilled.

To enhance its flavor, you can squeeze a bit of fresh lime on it before eating.

If you want to try some quick recipes, you can add the papaya to a fruit smoothie or a fruit salad or serve it with yogurt. You can even use it in a savory salad, make a papaya salsa, or serve with seafood. Papayas can also be used in confectionery, juices, pies, shakes, and sweets or cooked in stews, stir-fries, and curries.

Can you eat papaya seeds?

Although most people throw away the seeds, they are edible and highly nutritious.

Papaya seeds have a crunchy texture and a spicy-peppery flavor. Simply wash the seeds in a strainer and place them on a cloth or paper towel to air dry. Once dry, you can crush the seeds and add a small amount to your food.

Now that you have learned how to cut this delicious tropical fruit, why not buy papaya today and start creating some healthy recipes for you and your family.

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