The Papaya - Queen of Fruits
Papayas are truly something special. They originate from Central and South America and have become one of the most popular exotic fruits worldwide in recent years. What makes them so special? Firstly, papayas are very nutrient-dense – they contain plenty of vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, and provitamin A. They are also rich in enzymes like papain, which aid digestion. But the best thing about papayas is their unique, sweet taste, reminiscent of a cross between melon, mango, and pineapple. Anyone who has ever tasted a ripe, juicy papaya is guaranteed to love it!
Choosing and storing papayas correctly
To find the best papayas when shopping for fruit, there are a few things to keep in mind: Ripe papayas have a bright yellow to orange skin and are slightly soft, but not mushy. Green papayas are not quite ripe and should be left to ripen for a few days at room temperature. Papayas are best stored in the refrigerator, where they will stay fresh for up to a week. Also, make sure the fruit is free of bruises or discoloration—these are signs of damage or immaturity.
Papaya Samba - a tropical delight
Now that you know what papaya is all about, I'd like to introduce you to a very special recipe: the Papaya Samba! This is a refreshing smoothie that's perfect for summer. The ingredients are super simple, and it only takes a few minutes to prepare.
Papaya-Banana Smoothie
Ingredients (for 2 glasses)
- 1 ripe papaya (medium)
- 1 ripe banana
- 200 ml orange juice or coconut water
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
- Some ice cubes (optional)
preparation
- Halve the papaya , remove the seeds with a spoon and cut out the flesh.
- Peel the banana and break it into pieces.
- Put the pulp , banana and liquid (juice/coconut water) into a blender.
- Puree everything until creamy and sweeten with honey to taste.
- If you like it cold, add ice cubes or use frozen banana pieces.
Tip : You can also refine this smoothie with a dash of yogurt or coconut milk.
Enjoy papayas in many ways
Besides the Papaya Samba, there are of course many other ways to prepare this tropical fruit. For example, you can add papayas to salads, smoothie bowls, or as a topping for yogurt or porridge. Or how about a delicious papaya jam? Simply puree the fruit, bring to a boil with sugar and a little lemon juice, and pour into jars.
Papayas can also be prepared in savory dishes. Try grilled papaya slices with feta and balsamic dressing. Or how about a tropical papaya salsa with grilled fish or chicken? The possibilities are truly endless.
Flight Papaya - a special delicacy
Last but not least, I'd like to introduce you to a very special papaya specialty that you can find in the fruit world: the so-called "air-flight papaya." These are papayas that are harvested directly from the tree and air-freighted from the tropics to Germany. These papayas are particularly aromatic and juicy because they don't require long transport.
The flight papayas are, of course, a bit more expensive than regular papayas, but they're definitely worth it. Be sure to try one; you'll taste the difference! And who knows, maybe this exotic fruit will even inspire you to plan your next vacation in the tropics...
With that in mind: Enjoy the papaya season to the fullest and let yourself be enchanted by the tropical fruits from the fruit world!
Sweet papaya dessert from the oven
A simple yet sophisticated dessert that can be enjoyed warm or lukewarm.
Ingredients (for 2 servings)
- 1 ripe papaya
- 1-2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 tbsp butter (optional for more flavor)
- 1 pinch of cinnamon (optional)
- Optional: yogurt , ice cream or mascarpone as topping
preparation
- Preheat the oven to 180 °C (top/bottom heat).
- Halve the papaya , remove the seeds and place the halves in a baking dish (shell on the outside).
- Brush the fruit with honey , place some butter flakes on top and optionally dust lightly with cinnamon.
- Bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes until the flesh is lightly browned and soft.
- Serve with yogurt, ice cream or mascarpone – or simply enjoy on its own.
