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Fruity delight
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Rich in antioxidants and good for the cardiovascular system
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A papaya cut open
Called the `fruit of the angels' by Christopher Columbus, papaya is deliciously sweet with musky undertones and a soft, butter-like consistency. Once considered exotic, papaya can now be found in markets throughout the year. Papaya originated from Central America, and travelled to Latin America.
Spanish and Portuguese explorers introduced papaya to many other tropical and subtropical lands, including India, the Philippines and Africa.
Medicinal use
The seeds are edible, although their peppery flavour is somewhat bitter. The fruit is ripe when it feels soft and its skin turns colour from amber to orange hue.
Papaya is rich in antioxidant nutrients (carotenes, vitamin C and flavonoids), B vitamins (folate and pantothenic acid), minerals (potassium and magnesium) and fibre.
Together, these nutrients promote the health of the cardiovascular system and provide protection against colon cancer. The fruit as well as the other parts of the tree, contains papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins.
This enzyme is concentrated in the fruit when it is unripe. Papain is extracted to make dietary supplements and also used as an ingredient in some chewing gums.
HRUDANANDA BEHERA
Sous Chef, Hip Asia,
Taj Connemara
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