Learn how to cut a papaya, how to choose a ripe one, and ways to eat and store it so you can get the most out of this delicious tropical fruit!
Table of Contents
How to Choose a Ripe Papaya
If you’ve never had a papaya, it can be difficult to know how to choose one that’s ready to eat. The first thing to look at is the fruit’s skin.
As papayas ripen, they slowly turn from green to yellow. When the fruit is fully yellow and just a little soft to the touch, you know it’s ready to eat!
You’ll know you’ve waited too long if your papaya begins to feel mushy, the skin becomes discolored, and the flesh (or part you eat) is bland and mealy.
How to Cut a Papaya
While it may seem intimidating if you’ve never done it before, cutting papayas is actually really easy! All you need is a sharp knife, a cutting board, and a vegetable peeler before you begin.
- Use a sharp knife to trim both ends of the fruit.
- Slice the papaya in half lengthwise.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp in the center. Just be careful not to dig too deep and scoop out the flesh!
- Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin.
- Cut each half of the fruit lengthwise into long strips.
- Rotate the papaya, and slice again width-wise to create bite-sized cubes.
- Enjoy!
How to Serve Papaya
The most popular way to serve papaya is with a splash of lime juice to remove any smell and enhance the sweetness of the fruit. However, it’s also great to add to fruit medleys, fruit salad, salads, salsas, or smoothies!
How to Store
- Ripe, uncut papayas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Once cut, papaya cubes can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to three days.
Can I Freeze Cut Papaya?
- Yes, you can freeze-cut papaya for up to eight months.
- To do so, arrange the pieces on a
parchment paper -lined baking sheet, and place them in the freezer until solid. Then, transfer the fruit to a sealable bag until you’re ready to use it.
Common Questions About How to Cut a Papaya
The texture and flavor of the fruit can vary depending on the variety, ripeness, and where it was grown. However, in general, papaya is described as being a refreshing tropical fruit that tastes like a cross between a sweet melon and mango or peaches.
Technically, the seeds are edible. However, we recommend discarding them as they tend to be hard, bitter, and not very pleasant to eat.
Yes, we recommend removing the skin before slicing the papaya into cubes. This makes it much easier to remove.
More Kitchen Guides
- How to Cut a Tomato (3 Ways)
- How to Cook Quinoa (3 Ways)
- How to Store Parsley
- How to Cook a Whole Chicken
How to Cut a Papaya
Ingredients
- 1 papaya
Instructions
- Use a sharp knife to trim both ends off the fruit.1 papaya
- Slice the papaya in half lengthwise.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp in the center.
- Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin.
- Cut each half of the fruit lengthwise into long strips.
- Rotate the papaya, and slice again width wise to create bite-sized cubes.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
