Taiwan Organic Papaya, also regarded as “Longevity fruit”, ensures your wellbeing.

Both green and yellow papayas are great fruits for the burning hot summer when other fruits that are only edible after changing colors and ripening. Papayas are rich in Vitamin A, B C and β carotene as well as many minerals. They are called “Longevity Fruit” while being ranked as one of the most nutritious fruits by World Health Organization.

Tainoun No. 2, Champion of Taiwan Papaya

Papaya, Carica papaya, is called “Foreign Papaya (番木瓜)” in Chinese since it is native to America. In seventeenth century, papaya was brought to Asia from West Indian Islands and later brought to Taiwan from China during the late Qing dynasty. Papaya breeding in Taiwan started in 1970s. “Sunrise (日陞)” was selected by Fungshan Tropical Horticultural Experiment Branch, which bred many varieties later on. Among these varieties, Tainoun No. 2 is preferred by farmers for its strong growth rate and high productivity and is favored by consumers for its high sugar level, correct serving size, nice fruit shape and great flavor. It has occupied a market share of more than 90% in the past 30 years, followed by “Sunrise” and “Hungfei (紅妃)”.

Papayas prefers warm and well-ventilated locations.

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) belongs to the family Caricaceae and is native to tropical areas. This tall evergreen herb has big palmately-lobed leaves and long, hollow petioles. Papaya, a shallow rooted plant, cannot tolerate drought as well as strong wind and standing water. Organic papaya farms usually have higher ridges and better drainage system. They grow papayas in well-drained rich sandy loam soil or sandy gravel soil and ensure enough sunlight and good ventilation for their fruits. Taiwan organic papaya production areas include Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Chiayi, Nantou, Yunlin, Hualien, Miaoli and Taitung.

To prevent their main threat, the attack of virus, organic papaya farmers vitalize their soil with probiotics or make organic fertilizers and enzyme liquid fertilizers. Rotation with other high stem plants, such as corns, can stop invasion of aphids and lower the infection rate. Papaya stems are cut immediately as soon as they are found ill. Farmers should prevent other papaya plants from being infected by virus on tools so continuous cropping in the same field is not recommended. Crop rotation is much more expensive. On the other hand, it can significantly reduce the risk of illness and pests and ensure the best quality and productivity.

Papaya is ready to eat when the pedicle is soft. Make good use of ethylene from papaya.

Papayas can produce ethylene after they ripen. We can wrap papaya and other fruits, such as bananas, kiwis and Buddha head fruit, with newspaper and store them at room temperature for 2 to 3 days to make these fruits ripen earlier. These fruits shall be enjoyed right after the pedicle becomes soft.

Green papaya enzyme enables our body to digest protein and fat more easily. Furthermore, it can improve our well-being and balance our body functionality. Green papaya is commonly used in Thai cuisines, such as sweet and sour salad, hot fried food and other appetizing food. We use papaya to make papaya milk, dried papaya, papaya vinegar or papaya medical cram. Papaya is very valuable for its culinary, medical and cosmetical uses.