📝 Description

What is this product?

Green Papaya is the unripe form of the tropical papaya fruit, known for its firm texture, mild flavor, and wide culinary uses. Unlike ripe papaya, green papaya has a crisp consistency, making it ideal for cooking, salads, and pickling. It’s a staple in Southeast Asian and Indian cuisines, used in both raw and cooked dishes. Green papaya is naturally rich in vitamin C, folate, fiber, and the digestive enzyme papain, which helps improve digestion and reduce inflammation. Its subtle sweetness and refreshing crunch make it an excellent choice for healthy, low-calorie meals.

🌍 Origin

Green papaya originated in Central America but is now widely cultivated across India, Thailand, the Philippines, and Saudi Arabia. Locally grown varieties are harvested young before ripening to ensure firm texture and high enzyme content — perfect for salads, curries, and stews. In Kerala and other South Indian regions, it is a traditional ingredient in curries and vegetable blends for its nutritional value and subtle taste.

🍽️ Nutrition Table (Per 100g)

Note: Green papaya contains papain, a natural enzyme that promotes digestion and supports a healthy gut.

👩‍🍳 Cooking Method/Recipes

🥗 Recipe 1: Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tam)

Ingredients: 1 cup shredded green papaya, 1 tomato (chopped), 1 garlic clove, 1 lime (juiced), 1 tsp soy sauce or fish sauce, 1 tsp crushed peanuts, chili (optional).

Method:

1. In a bowl, combine shredded papaya, tomato, and garlic.
2. Add lime juice, soy/fish sauce, and crushed peanuts.
3. Toss well and serve fresh as a tangy, refreshing salad.

Why it’s healthy: High in fiber, enzymes, and vitamin C — ideal for detox and digestion.

🍛 Recipe 2: Kerala-Style Raw Papaya Curry

Ingredients: 1 cup diced green papaya, ¼ cup grated coconut, 1 green chili, curry leaves, 1 tsp turmeric, ½ tsp mustard seeds, and coconut oil.

Method:

1. Cook papaya cubes in water with turmeric and salt until soft.
2. Grind coconut and green chili into a paste, then add to cooked papaya.
3. Heat coconut oil, splutter mustard seeds and curry leaves, and pour over curry.
4. Serve warm with steamed rice.

Why it’s healthy: Traditional, fiber-rich curry that aids digestion and provides essential minerals.

🧊 Storage Instructions

🏠 Room Temperature

• Keep whole, unpeeled green papayas at room temperature for up to 2 days.

❄️ Refrigeration

• Store peeled or sliced papaya in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Remains fresh for 3–5 days.

🥶 Freezing

• Blanch slices for 2 minutes, cool, and freeze in airtight bags.
• Best used within 2 months for curries or soups.

🧺 Handling Tips

• Wash thoroughly and peel before use.
• Remove seeds and inner pulp for best texture and flavor.
• Use gloves if sensitive — papaya latex may irritate skin in some individuals.