Exotic fruit has earned a reputation as the most effective fat and protein burner. Cleavage is due to the high papain content. The enzyme seems to be ready to break even concrete masonry. Papain is used in traditional medicine to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, musculoskeletal system, external and internal damage to the dermis.
To get to the main goal – fragrant pulp, you will have to peel the dense inedible skin and cut the product correctly. Seeds, hidden in abundance inside the fruit, can be used as a sweet-spicy spice.
There is not only traditional ripe papaya on the market. In cooking, use green, barely ripe fruit. They have a neutral taste, but the skin, like that of a ripe fruit, is just as tender and juicy. Green papaya is perfect for any salads (fish, vegetable, meat). An exotic fruit diversifies the taste palette and does not interrupt the perception of a dish with a specific smell.
General characteristics
Papaya is a woody plant whose dimensions do not exceed 10 meters in length. At the top of the tree are dissected leaves on long petioles, in which flowers develop, and then fruit. Average fruit size: 20-50 cm long and 10-30 cm diameter. Fruits develop unevenly and may differ significantly from each other.
There are male and female papaya trees. The male type pollinates flowers, and the female produces fruits. Papaya matures quickly enough – after 6 months the first harvest is already possible. Most of the farmed fruit is exported. The average shelf life of a ripe fruit is 1 week.
The chemical composition of the fruit
Vitamin content (in milligrams based on 100 grams of raw fruit)
Retinol (A) 0,047 Alpha-Carotene (A) 0,002 Beta-Carotene (A) 0,274 Thiamine (B1) 0,023 Riboflavin (B2) 0,027 Choline (B4) 6,1 Pantothenic acid (B5) 0,191 Pyridoxine (B6) 0,038 Folic acid ( B9) 0,037 Ascorbic acid (C) 60,9 Tocopherol (E) 0,3 Phylloquinone (K) 0,0026 Nicotinic acid (PP) 0,357
Additives (in grams based on 100 grams of raw fruit)
Mono- and disaccharides 7,8 Glucose 4,09 Fructose 3,73 Arginine 0,01 Valine 0,01 Histidine 0,005 Isoleucine 0,008 Leucine 0,016 Lysine 0,025 Methionine 0,002 Tyrosine 0,005 Saturated fatty acids 0,1 Monounsaturated fatty acids 0,072 Polyunsaturated fatty acids 0,058
Useful properties of papaya
Fruit can be a real salvation for the sweet tooth and losing weight. Papaya combines a sweet rich taste and low calorie content. The best way to give up white sugar is to replace it with fruit. No need to kill the urge to eat a bar of porous milk chocolate – this is how you subject yourself to frustration and bad mood. Replace harmful trans fats with plant-based foods. Morning oatmeal with papaya will be much tastier than 100 grams of chocolate.
The main useful substance is papain. How is it so good and how will it help the human body?
- The enzyme helps to free up the benefits of food and fully, but not partially, absorb it. Papain serves as a specific guide through which a person gets more energy, moves faster, tires less and feels a general increase in tone.
- Scientists have proven that the fruit improves the functioning of the organs of vision. If carrots are already fed up, and you want to pamper your eyes with something useful, choose a papaya.
- Fruit juice plays the role of antioxidant and antiseptic. Our ancestors used papaya juice to relieve swelling and pain after an insect bite or poor contact with fire. The healers of that time “prescribed” the juice of an exotic fruit to heal from diseases, pain and all kinds of ailments.
- Papaya enzymes have an amazing effect on the skin. Fruit ingredients are introduced into cosmetics to achieve a peeling effect. Such cosmetics are shown to people with sensitive skin, to combat acne and post-acne. To make the treatment comprehensive, let the whole body, not just the injured person, get enough of the beneficial properties of papaya. After another treatment, treat yourself to a piece of fruit. The result, oddly enough, will be “obvious”.
- Papaya is indicated for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, bronchial asthma, abnormal liver function and the fight against abnormal blood sugar levels. Fruit perfectly cleans the intestines, which instantly gives the body vigor, makes a person healthier and more active.
- Fruit regulates the level of acidity of the body. Suffering from heartburn? Consult with the doctor and find out – is it possible to replace the hated tablets with a few pieces of papaya? If heartburn for you is rarely a phenomenon, and the doctor gave the go-ahead for experiments – try. Replacing chemicals with plants will be greatly appreciated by the body.
Fruit is recommended to use even for pregnant and lactating women (if the mother is not allergic to the product). Dosed injected papaya and do not worry about the state of the baby.
The child will receive a variety of nutrients and begin to join the exotic from a very early age. When the baby is already transferred to complementary foods, puree papaya and give it to the baby in small quantities. It is recommended to give vegetables first, and then, gradually, introduce fruit. The kid can refuse tasteless vegetables after sweet fruits and berries.
- Scientists say that the fruit is useful in diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Enzymes have a beneficial effect on the condition of bones and joints.
- Papaya juice has anthelmintic effect. Juice will be ineffective in the presence of serious infectious pathologies. Do not get carried away with self-treatment, but seek qualified help.
- Special medicines are made from the fruit that can cure eczema. Our ancestors dried the papaya skin and applied to the affected areas. Today, such methods are not in demand. If there is a problem, it is necessary to undergo an examination, agree with the doctor on a therapeutic course and further nutritional recommendations. If the specialist does not see the threat to the current state, enter the papaya without fearing for the integrity of the dermis.
The use of fruit in cosmetology
To create makeup cosmetics use extract, pulp, papaya oil. Especially prized enzyme papain, isolated from the fruit of an exotic fruit. Than the papaya will be useful to a derma:
- Fruit acids do an excellent job with pigmentation, skin damage, acne and post-acne.
- Increase the tone of the skin.
- Normalization of the water balance of the skin. Stable water balance (maintaining a constant level of moisture).
- Careful decontamination, no pore blockage.
- Whitening skin, creating a radiant shine.
- Anti-aging effect. Cream with papaya will help delay the appearance of unwanted wrinkles for a long time.
- Increase the elasticity of the dermis.
- Removal of toxins, poisons, pollution.
- Normalization of the sebaceous glands. The fruit will help to cope with enlarged pores, and with the constant need to wipe something with the face. The use and consumption of fruit in food will provide a smooth matte face without rashes and flaws.
- Correction and removal of freckles.
To improve the condition of not only the skin, but also the hair, you can “without departing from the cashier.” Papaya juice and oil nourishes hair, restores texture, returns shine, health and softness.
With the help of papaya you can not only grow beautiful hair, but also get rid of them. Fruit enzymes are added to various depilation products (creams, serums, foams, gels). Substance provides several positive effects:
- removal of unwanted vegetation;
- additional hydration of the skin;
- blocking the possibility of hair ingrowth;
- the maximum distance of the appearance of new hairs. The enzyme weakens the hair and dulls the performance of the hair follicle.
Use in cooking
Papaya Recipe with Milk Jelly
We need:
- Papaya – 1 kg;
- milk (optimal fat content – 3, 2%) – 400 ml;
- gelatin – 30 g;
- sugar (can be replaced with any sweetener) – 50 g.
Preparation
Prepare papaya: cut the fruit along, remove the seeds with a tablespoon.
Tip: there is no need to initially remove the peel. It can be easily removed after the dish is ready.
Soak the gelatin for 10 minutes at room temperature. Take a stewpan, pour in gelatin, milk, sugar / sweetener and hold over low heat. Stir constantly until the sugar and gelatin are completely dissolved. Pour the mixture into the cleaned papaya (the jelly should be placed in the recess where the seeds of the fruit were located). Wrap cling film, send for a few hours in the refrigerator until it solidifies. Remove the ready-made dessert from the refrigerator, cut it into portions, remove the skin with a knife and serve to the table.
Duck recipe with honey and papaya
We need:
- Papaya – 650 g;
- crushed cilantro – 50 g;
- unrefined olive oil – 50 ml;
- vegetable oil – 20 ml;
- honey to taste – 4 tablespoons;
- ducklings (it is recommended to take a breast) – 4 pieces;
- sesame (both fried and raw) – 2 tablespoons;
- soy sauce without additives – 1 tablespoon;
- lemon juice – 1 tablespoon;
- lime juice – 1 tablespoon;
- lemon peel to taste.
Preparation
Take a duck breast, make a few deep longitudinal cuts on the skin. Do not get carried away with notches, 3-4 will be quite enough. Prepare the pan: put on the fire, pour in a drop of vegetable oil, spread over the surface. Put the duck breast in the pan (skin down) until it reaches golden brown.
Prepare the sauce: mix olive oil, lime and lemon juice, zest, soy sauce, honey, sesame seeds and cilantro. Peel papaya, remove the seeds, cut into small cubes. Grate a smaller portion of the fruit and mix with the prepared sauce.
Remove the duck from the pan, the duck fat (formed on the surface) must be drained and cleaned the cooking utensils. Grease a lightly roasted duck with sauce and place on a freshly prepared plate. Now you need to put the duck skin up. Fry until cooked, top up the sauce as needed. Serve finished breast with sliced papaya and favorite side dish.
Contraindications to the use of fruit
The only contraindication is individual intolerance to the product and components that make up the composition.
It is forbidden to eat green unripe fruits. They contain concentrated juice with a high content of toxic substances. Among them is the alkaloid caripain (better known as “juice-latex”). The ingestion of juice provokes the strongest allergic reaction, intoxication, irritation of the skin, malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract.
To protect your own body – take a responsible attitude to the choice of an exotic fruit.
How to choose the right papaya
Ripe fruit has a bright yellow or yellow-orange skin. Small spots of red or green are allowed. Read the information on the specific type of papaya you want to purchase, pay attention to the specificity of the structure and color. The peel of an exotic fruit should be smooth, even and complete. Damage, dents, the presence of putrid formations, black spots and dark spots indicate improper transportation and non-compliance with the rules of storage of the product.
The aroma of papaya, depending on the variety, is vaguely reminiscent of raspberries, chocolate, melon, apricot. Be guided by a familiar taste spectrum to find the most ripe and tasty fruit.
Perform a traditional test: lightly press down on the surface of the fruit. The peel should not be deformed. The ripe fruit will choke under pressure, but will gradually return to its former form. Elasticity is the key to papaya quality.
Peel should be clean, dry, with a characteristic shine. Wet surface indicates treatment with chemicals to extend shelf life.
If there are even the slightest doubts about the freshness and quality of the product – refuse to buy and find a more honest seller / supplier. Your health is worth extra minutes asking about the shelf life of the fruit and providing a certificate of quality.
