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! 

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. 

  1. Use a sharp knife to trim both ends of the fruit
  2. Slice the papaya in half lengthwise
  3. 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!
  4. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin
  5. Cut each half of the fruit lengthwise into long strips
  6. Rotate the papaya, and slice again width-wise to create bite-sized cubes. 
  7. 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

What does papaya taste like? 

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. 

Is it okay to eat papaya seeds? 

Technically, the seeds are edible. However, we recommend discarding them as they tend to be hard, bitter, and not very pleasant to eat. 

Should I peel the papaya before cutting? 

Yes, we recommend removing the skin before slicing the papaya into cubes. This makes it much easier to remove. 

More Kitchen Guides

Pieces of papaya on a cutting board.

How to Cut a Papaya

No ratings yet
Author: Food Dolls
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Learn how to cut a papaya, how to choose a ripe one, how to keep it fresh, and the best ways to enjoy this sweet, tropical fruit!

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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 138mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 722IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this recipe?Please leave a comment!

You Might Also Like

How to Cut Potatoes (4 Ways)

Learn how to cut potatoes into wedges, slices, fries, and cubes, how to store them, and find recipes to put them to use!

How to Cut a Kiwi

Learn how to cut a kiwi into rounds, quarters, cubes, and stars, how to store it, and how to use this sweet, tangy fruit!

How to Cut a Lime

Learn how to cut a lime into wedges or slices and rounds, how to store them, and more to get the most out of this tasty citrus fruit!

Meet Alia & Radwa

Welcome to Food Dolls! We’re so glad you found us. We are Alia and Radwa, sisters who want to share simple and easy recipes with you. We hope you find recipes here that you enjoy making as much as we do! Learn more about us!

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating