Papaya in the Philippines

Deliciously sweet with musky undertones and a soft, butter-like consistency, it is no wonder the papaya was reputably called the "fruit of the angels" by Christopher Columbus. Once considered quite exotic, they can now be found in markets throughout the year. Although there is a slight seasonal peak in early summer papaya trees produce fruit year round.

But since there is pandemic, and people are afraid to go out to buy in the market, we are very lucky to have vendors roam around our streets selling papayas right in front of our doorsteps. One kilo of Papaya is worth 80 pesos. You just have to wait for this vendor to pass in front of our houses at around 7 in the morning to get the freshest Papayas in town.

Papayas are spherical or pear-shaped fruits that can be as long as 20 inches. The ones commonly found in the market usually average about 7 inches and weigh about one pound. Their flesh is a rich orange color with either yellow or pink hues. Inside the inner cavity of the fruit are black, round seeds encased in a gelatinous-like substance. Papaya's seeds are edible, although their peppery flavor is somewhat bitter. The fruit, as well as the other parts of the papaya tree, contain papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins. This enzyme is especially concentrated in the fruit when it is unripe.

The papaya, papaw, or pawpaw is the plant Carica papaya, one of the 22 accepted species in the genus Carica of the family Caricaceae. Its origin is in the tropics of the Americas, perhaps from Central America and southern Mexico. Wikipedia

The papaya is an incredibly healthy tropical fruit. It's loaded with antioxidants that can reduce inflammation, fight disease and help keep you looking young.

Here are the health benefits of eating papaya:
Good Eye Health. Papayas are loaded with Vitamin A an antioxidants, which helps in improving eye health. ...
Aids digestion. ...
Anti-ageing. ...
Boosts Immunity. ...
Helps in weight loss. ...
Better kidney health. ...
Great for diabetics. ...
Better cardiovascular health.

For maximum results, people looking to lose weight quickly should consume papaya during breakfast and as a snack, between lunch and dinner. For breakfast, pair papayas with a source of good quality protein and a small amount of healthy fats. Eating papaya as a healthy snack after lunch, helps you stay full for longer.