Papai / पपई / Papaya / Carica papaya L.

  • Local Name: Papai / पपई
  • Common Name: Papaya
  • Botanical Name: Carica papaya L.

Status & Habitat

  • Status: DD (Data Deficient)

  • Habitat: Tree

  • Occurrence: Lowland tropical areas

  • Season of Availability: Warmer parts of the year.

  • Geography: Tropical America

  • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation

  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Fruit

  • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes

  • Ripe: Yes

  • Both Raw & Ripe: Yes

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: Unripe fruit

  • As Food: Papaya fruit is typically eaten ripe. Seeds may be used as a spice.

  • As Medicine: Leaves relieve muscle stiffness and menstrual pain; fruit aids digestion, heart health, and urinary function; ripe fruit alleviates spleen and liver enlargement; young fruit helps with bowel and urinary health; fruit sap treats skin issues and improves bodily functions; seeds are used for deworming; roots regulate menstruation.

  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: Not required

  • Boiling Before Cooking: Not required

  • Pickling: Yes

  • Brining: N/A

  • Fermenting: N/A

  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A

  • Overall Method: Papaya fruit is generally eaten ripe and washed.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Fruit is rich in vitamin C and vitamin A.

  • Medicinal Benefit: Digestive ailments, gastric issues, worm infections, fever, rheumatoid arthritis, colic

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Leaves relieve muscle stiffness and menstrual pain; fruit aids digestion, heart health, and urinary function; ripe fruit alleviates spleen and liver enlargement; young fruit helps with bowel and urinary health; fruit sap treats skin issues and improves bodily functions; seeds are used for deworming; roots regulate menstruation.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Papaya halwa: heat oil or ghee in a kadai. Cook finely chopped papaya on low flame for 15 minutes until it releases its juices and changes color. Add sugar and cook for 20 more minutes until oil separates. Stir in ground almonds and cook for 6 minutes until the halwa comes together. Finally, add cashews and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.