Food Talks | Papaya: A Sweet and Nutritious Fruit

papaya for a healthy brekky

This Saturday's food feature is one of my fruit favorites - the mellow yellow papaya!

Papaya, a vibrant-colored pear-shaped sweet and juicy fruit, is said to originate in the tropics of America but this fruit is now abundant here in our country Philippines. It is a tropical fruit and is available whole year round. You can see it in the fruit section of all the grocery and supermarket stores as well as public markets. Once a week, I am having this sweet and nutritious fruit for my breakfast.

Papaya is another fruit rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, B, C, E, K, potassium, magnesium and a lot more. It has lots of antioxidant too, which help our body fight free radicals that harms our body and causes illness. It contains an enzyme called papain, also known as papaya proteinase, which help in breaking down proteins and aid in digestion. This enzyme has anti-inflammatory properties, too, which eases stings and other minor skin irritations. Papaya also has skin whitening and brightening properties that it is now being used in many skin and facial care products.

Papaya, when ripe, can be eaten on its own. It can also be used in fruit shakes and smoothies as well as added to fruit salads. When unripe, it can be added to several delicious dishes like the famous chicken tinola - Pinoy's comfort food. Unripe papaya can also be made into papaya slaw and achara or pickled papaya. Yellow/Orange (ripe) and green (unripe) papayas can be used anyway you want it, just be creative. Or search the internet, there are lots and lots of papaya recipes out there.

~ oo00oo ~

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