Known as fresh and healthy tropical fruits, there are actually different types of papaya out there. You shouldn’t be surprised to find different colors, sizes, and shapes of papaya, which affects the flavor and freshness. With these different options, you should be happy to learn that the different varieties have different benefits and perks.

Types of Papaya: The General Benefit

This is a fruit that is native to Southern Mexico and Central America. This fruit is super healthy. It is low in calories and also fat. And yet, it has a high level of vitamin C, fibers, and minerals. The most popular varieties would be the Hawaiian and Mexican varieties. Most of the ones sold at supermarkets are generally grown in the islands of Hawaii. Others are coming from Mexico and other tropical (and warm) countries.

The Varieties

Here are some of the most popular and unique varieties of commercial papaya out there.

  1. Guinea Gold Papaya
    As the name suggests, this fruit has a golden hue. The shape is pear-like, having not only golden yellowish skin, but also flesh. It originates from Western Australia. The general weight would be around 3 pounds. It usually ripens within 15 months to 18 months.

  2. Waimanalo Papaya
    This is a papaya that is cultivated in Oahu in Hawaii. This is a part of a dwarf variant, but it is rich in vitamin C. It has a supple look that is simply enticing and appealing. The plant is fast growing, able to generate fruits within 9 to 10 months.

  3. Hawaiian Sunrise Papaya
    In some areas, it’s called Strawberry papaya. It gets its name from the red and orange skin, which is almost the same as melons, peaches, and berries. With this papaya, you shouldn’t have any difficulty removing the seeds because the (seed) cavity is pretty low. The best thing about this variety is that it’s available all the time throughout the year.

  4. Hawaiian Sunset Papaya
    This is a dwarf papaya type that is ‘made’ by Hawaii University. Just like the Hawaiian Sunrise type, the skin is orange and red, but the same color also applies to the flesh. When compared to the Sunrise papaya, the Sunset is smaller in size.

Making Use of the Papaya

So, how do you use papaya? Sure, you can always eat papaya like that for snacks. Simply cut the fruit into smaller pieces and pop them into your mouth. But there are actually other ways to enjoy the fruit.

  • Salad dressing. It tastes tangy, and it’s perfect for fruit or green salads.
  • Breakfast. You can eat the flesh just like that. But you can also add cinnamon or even milk (preferably the plant based type) for the extra freshness.
  • Roasted papaya. It’s best served with brown sugar. You can also add the ginger to add the depth of the flavor.
  • Ice cream. It’s tasty, fresh, and most importantly, it’s cold.
  • Smoothie. You can mix the papaya with bananas and berries for a smooth fruit. But if you want to make green smoothies, simply add green veggies.

Final Words
There are still other varieties out there, including Bettina Papaya, Kamiya Papaya, Peterson Papaya, and others. Papayas are healthy and fresh. They are also versatile. With tons of different types of papaya, you should be able to enjoy more perks.

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