Papayas

Papayas are tropical fruits that grow in warm places. They look like big pears with greenish-yellow skin on the outside. When you cut one open, the inside is bright orange and full of round black seeds. Papayas taste sweet and a little bit like a cross between a mango and a melon.

Where Papayas Grow

Papayas grow on tall plants that look like trees but are really giant herbs. The plants can grow more than 20 feet tall. Papayas first came from Central America and Mexico. Now they grow in many hot places like Hawaii, India, and Brazil. Papaya plants can make fruit all year long.

Eating Papayas

To eat a papaya, people cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and eat the sweet orange flesh. Papayas are great in fruit salads and smoothies. Some people squeeze lime juice on top to make them taste even better. Papayas have lots of vitamins A and C. They also have a special helper called papain that is good for digestion.

Fun Facts

• Christopher Columbus called papaya the fruit of the angels.
• Papaya seeds are spicy and taste a bit like pepper.
• A single papaya tree can grow over 100 fruits in one year.

Did You Know?

The enzyme in papaya called papain is so strong that it can break down tough meat, which is why it is used in some meat tenderizers.