If you love papaya as much as we do, then you may want to learn how to cut papaya the right way. Learning how to cut papaya will allow you to get the most out of this delicious fruit. That is the reason why today we’ll be telling you all about how to cut a papaya fruit.
Rich in Vitamin C, papaya is one of the best edibles out there to strengthen the immune system to fight against diseases and infection. Papaya contains more than 200 %of your daily dose of Vitamin C. Apart from this, the fruit is also rich in vitamins A, B, and K, which also boost immunity.
There are several ways to cut papaya, and though it sounds like an easy task, a few pointers will make a huge difference. It’s all about having the proper kitchen utensils and following a few simple guidelines before you cut papaya like a pro. We’ll be showing you a couple of different ways so you can take your fruit cutting skills to a whole other level.
How to Cut Papaya Fruit FAQs
What part of papaya do you eat?
When choosing or eating papaya, look for fresh papayas with reddish-orange skin that are soft to the touch. Just cut like a melon, scoop out the seeds, and enjoy. The papaya seeds are edible but have a bitter, peppery taste. Using a spoon, it is possible to scoop out the soft flesh of the fruit.
How to use papaya pieces?
- Cut into cubes for a tropical fruit salad
- Add pieces into a smoothie
- Cut small amounts to add into a fruit popsicle
- Chop it up for a fruit salsa
- Add on top of an acai bowl, oatmeal, or yogurt
How long does papaya last in the fridge?
You can place ripe papaya in the fridge until you’re ready to eat it to keep it from spoiling. The papayas will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week, but it’s best to use them within two days for optimal flavor.
Can you eat papaya skin and seeds?
The skin of the papaya isn’t poisonous, which means you could technically eat it if desired. But, as is the case with oranges and bananas, you’re better off enjoying the flesh of the fruit rather than the skin. Although you shouldn’t eat the skin, you can safely eat the seeds of the fruit.
What to do with papaya seeds?
No need to toss the seeds. While most people throw them away, papaya seeds are not only edible; small amounts of them in your diet can be good for you. Although, they are not sweet. Quite the opposite. They have a solid and spicy flavor, like a cross between mustard and black peppercorns.
Can you cut ripe papaya?
This can be tricky, as the scores must just cut through the skin but not into the fruit’s flesh. Cutting the skin may also attract insects or cause the ripening papaya to become mushy if it is left too long. Papayas ripened in this way usually only need 24 to 48 hours to ripen fully.
When is papaya season?
The peak season for papaya is early summer and lingers into fall. However, importation and different growing seasons in various regions are available year-round. Areas with warm, tropical climates like Hawaii, California, Florida, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Central and South America are the largest producers.
How to prepare papaya before cutting?
- Clean: It’s always good practice to rinse fruit with cool water before cutting. This process helps remove any dirt or contamination on the surface, preventing it from transferring to the flesh.
- Remove ends: To make the peeling process easy and provide a more stable base for cutting, cut off both ends. Just trim about 1/2-inch or up to 1-inch for larger papaya.
- Remove skin: You can peel the skin off before or after cutting. Otherwise, wait to remove the skin if you feel more comfortable because the flesh can be slightly slippery, especially when working with more significant pieces. Once you get the hang of it, peeling first is more straightforward. The skin is edible, but it’s best to remove it. The papaya plant produces latex, which can remain on the surface during harvesting and cause stomach irritation.
How to get rid of the papaya smell?
If the smell of your papaya is too much for you, you can perfectly squeeze a little lime juice over the papaya to take away any unattractive smells and enhance the flavor of the fruit. Or combine your fresh papaya with other fruit in a fresh fruit salad.
How to Cut Papaya Fruit
Peel the skin first
- Use a sharp paring knife or chef’s knife for large papaya. Place it standing up on the cut-end on a cutting board, then run the knife down the length of the fruit, following its natural curvature. The goal is to leave as much flesh as possible.
- Alternatively, the shallow blade of a peeler works well for yield and speed. Hold the papaya in your hand or place it on the work surface.
- Slowly peel down the length of the fruit and rotate until you remove all the skin. Dry it with a clean paper towel if the flesh starts to get slippery.
- When you slice open the papaya, shiny edible black seeds are in the center. Use a spoon to scoop them out and discard them. The seeds are edible and make for an excellent high-fiber snack, but they have a slightly bitter, peppery taste.
- Slice each cleaned half lengthwise into wedges, about 1/2 to 1-inch pieces. Each piece makes a delicious snack, especially with lime juice squeezed on top.
- You can further cut the wedges into cubes to add them to fruit salad or blend them up into a smoothie.
- Cut each peeled halve into thin slices, about 1/4-inch thick. Then cut again through the shortest area crosswise to create rainbow-like shapes. This technique works well with smaller papayas and makes for a pretty fruit platter presentation.
Cut first, peel later.
- This method makes it easy to cut into large wedges or cubes. Choose ripe papaya. You know if you have ripe papaya if it has skin turning from green to yellow.
- Cut the papaya in half. Place the papaya on a cutting board. Using a large, sharp knife, cut the papaya in half lengthwise.
- Open the papaya. Open the halved papaya and separate it into two sections.
- Scrape out the seeds with a spoon. Using a large spoon, scrape out the seeds. Try not to cut too deeply with your spoon, or you might lose quite a bit of the fruit, especially if it is overripe.
- Scoop out the fruit and eat it. You can enjoy the papaya fruit by digging into it with a spoon. Or create papaya “melon balls” with a melon ball scoop or an ice cream scoop.
- Peel and make papaya wedges. Hold the fruit vertically and run your knife down along the skin in long slices to peel the papaya. Again, try not to slice too profoundly or lose a lot of the fruit. If you are not comfortable using a knife, use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin.
- Alternatively, you can cut the papaya into slices and use a knife to peel the skin off each slice.
- Slice the papaya into wedges. Now turn the papaya over and slice it into wedges as thick or thin as you like. Keep cutting if you want cubes of fruit. Papaya wedges are an excellent option to serve for breakfast.
Spring Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler, Black
Dual Stainless Steel blades stay ultra sharp and swivel to easily glide along with fruits and vegetables. Includes a built-in blemish remover.
Skins peel off quickly like they are melted butter without gouging your fruits or veggies. It takes off just the right amount, so you save more precious produce.
The non-slip rubber handle is comfortable for both right and left-handed use and makes peeling enjoyable. Includes hole for easy hanging.
Features:
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- Dual Stainless Steel Blades
TUO Utility Knife
The Black Hawk Series 5 inch utility knife is designed to be a combination of simple beauty and practical functionality. It is a small alternative to the chef knife and allows you precise cuts.
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The blade is hand polished to a satin finish revealing a stunning look. Luxury imported black pakkawood handles highlight the harmonious appearance of the whole piece.
Features:
- High Carbon Steel
- 5 Inches
