Papai / पपई / Papaya / Carica papaya L.

Other Names

Status & Habitat

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 Benefit: Fruit is rich in vitamin C and vitamin A.
Medicinal Benefit: Digestive ailments, gastric issues, worm infections, fever, rheumatoid arthritis, colic

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.

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.