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If you’ve always wanted to know how to cut a papaya, you’re in for a tropical treat! In this guide, you’ll learn how to cut by peeling it first or second and what to do with the seeds. Whether you’re topping your morning granola or making a fruit salad, this fruit adds a burst of sweet, juicy flavor!
Table of Contents
What is papaya?
Originating in Central America, papaya is a tropical fruit known for its vibrant orange color, sweet and slightly musky taste, and buttery texture.
It’s packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and beneficial digestive enzymes, making it just as nutritious as it is delicious. We’re all for that!
You can use this versatile fruit in both sweet and savory dishes alike. Think smoothies and smoothie bowls, parfaits, salads, cakes, spring rolls, curries, and salsas. Now, you just need to know how to cut up a papaya to reach the glorious flesh!
Why cutting papaya correctly matters
Papaya is a rather delicate fruit, so cutting it properly is essential to preserving its flavor and texture. Clean cuts create uniform pieces, ensuring each bite is equally delicious.
Besides aesthetics, knowing how to cut a papaya correctly also ensures the optimal absorption of its nutrients, reduces food waste, and improves safety during preparation.
Tools you’ll need
To cut a papaya with ease, you’ll just need a few kitchen utensils and tools:
- Sharp chef’s knife
- A cutting board
- A spoon (for scooping out the seeds)
- Vegetable peeler
How to choose the perfect papaya
Knowing how to cut a papaya is only half the battle. First, you need to know how to pick out the best fruit! Keep the following tips in mind:
- Color: Look for papayas with a yellow to orange-red color. Green papayas are unripe and won’t be sweet for a while. The skin should be relatively free from cuts, bruises, or spots.
- Firmness: A ripe papaya should give slightly under gentle pressure. It’s similar to what a ripe avocado feels like.
- Aroma: Ripe papayas have a sweet, tropical aroma near their stem.
- Size: Papayas come in various sizes depending on the variety. Choose one that suits your needs, but remember that larger papayas take longer to ripen.
- Shape: Papayas should have a symmetrical shape, which can be either pear-like or more elongated.
How to cut a papaya
Before cutting the papaya, make sure it’s clean by washing it under cold running water. This prevents dirt or potential bacteria on the skin from contaminating the flesh. Using a sharp knife, slice off both ends of the papaya.
How to peel a papaya
If you prefer to peel your papaya, use a vegetable peeler or sharp knife. Working from top to bottom following the curve of the fruit, and discard the skin. It is edible, but it’s not very tasty.
Keep in mind that peeling the papaya will make it quite slippery. If you prefer to have more grip on the fruit as you cut it, leave the peeling for later.
How to cut a peeled papaya into slices
Cut it in half
With a stable base, cut the papaya in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the shiny black seeds in the center of each half. Remove as much of the fibrous strings as you can.
You can discard the seeds, but they are edible! You can try roasting and crushing them in a mortar and pestle for a fiber-rich peppercorn replacement if you want.
Slice the papaya
Turn each papaya half over onto the flat side and make crosswise cuts as thick or as thin as you want. They should look like little half-crescent moons.
How to cut a peeled papaya into cubes
Make lengthwise cuts
Make sure the flat side of the papaya half is facing down again. Cut the fruit lengthwise into strips.
Make crosswise cuts
Rotate the papaya and make crosswise cuts to create cubes. You can make the cuts as thick or as thin as you prefer.
How to cut an unpeeled papaya into cubes
Divide the papaya
Again, slice the papaya in half lengthwise and scoop out the black seeds. Cut each papaya half lengthwise into quarters, then into eighths. You should have four 1-2-inch strips per side.
Cut away the peel
Similar to cantaloupe, you can slice away the peel after cutting the papaya into smaller pieces. Stabilize one end of the papaya strip with your non-dominant hand.
Run the knife along the fruit where it meets the skin and follow it all the way down the strip until you reach the end. Try to keep the knife as close to the skin as possible to prevent wasting any fruit.
Cut the papaya into cubes
Cut the papaya strip into 1-2-inch cubes for snacking, then repeat the same steps for the rest of the strips.
Tips for cutting papaya
- Use a sharp knife: Always use a sharp knife to ensure clean cuts and prevent the blade from slipping.
- Stable surface: Make sure the cutting board is stable to prevent any accidents. If necessary, place a damp kitchen towel or paper towel underneath.
- Cut it gently: Use a gentle sawing motion instead of trying to push the knife down through the papaya. This will prevent accidents and the fruit from bruising.
- Remove the seeds first: Always remember to scoop out the seeds before you start cutting the papaya into smaller pieces.
- Chill the papaya: A slightly chilled papaya is easier to cut and handle. Plus, it tastes much more refreshing this way!
- Keep a firm grip: Papaya has a slippery texture, so keep your hands clean for a safer grip. If it’s too slippery, keep it unpeeled until the later stages of cutting.
- Use the correct tools: A vegetable peeler is very handy (and quite safe) for peeling the skin, especially for larger papayas.
How to store cut papaya
Once cut, storing your papaya properly will help retain its freshness and flavor. Follow these tips to ensure it lasts:
- Fridge: You can store cut papaya in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last for about 1-2 days this way.
- Freezer: If you want to freeze cut papaya, place the pieces on a tray lined with parchment paper, ensuring they’re not touching. Once frozen, transfer the pieces into a freezer-safe bag and use the fruit within 9 months.
Papaya recipe ideas
Now that you know how to cut up a papaya using two methods, you can experiment with some recipes like these:
- Papaya smoothie: Blend papaya cubes, banana, fresh orange juice, and a squeeze of lime for a refreshing and tropical breakfast.
- Tropical fruit salad: Combine cut papaya with other tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, coconut, and watermelon. Top everything off with fresh mint and a squeeze of lime.
- Papaya salsa: Like our mango salsa, you can mix cubed papaya with red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
FAQ
Even though papaya seeds are edible and have a slightly peppery flavor, they’re usually removed due to their bitter taste. However, you can sprinkle them into salads, roast them, or use a black pepper substitute.
While the skin of a papaya is also edible, it is not usually eaten as it’s tough and has a bitter taste.
A green papaya is unripe. You can wait for it to ripen at room temperature, or you can use it in recipes that call for green papaya, such as Thai salads.
You can use either a vegetable peeler or a knife to peel papaya. However, a knife can offer more control and is often easier for most people. It’s a personal preference!
A ripe papaya should yield to gentle pressure, similar to a ripe avocado. It should not be too soft or mushy.
More how to cut recipes
How to Cut a Papaya (Quickly & Efficiently)
Equipment
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 papaya
Instructions
- Before cutting the papaya, make sure it’s clean by washing it under cold running water. Using a sharp knife, slice off both ends of the papaya.
How to peel a payaya
- Use a vegetable peeler or sharp knife. Working from top to bottom following the curve of the fruit, and discard the skin. It is edible, but it’s not very tasty.
- Keep in mind that peeling the papaya will make it quite slippery. If you prefer to have more grip on the fruit as you cut it, leave the peeling for later.
How to cut a peeled papaya into slices
- With a stable base, cut the papaya in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the shiny black seeds in the center of each half. Remove as much of the fibrous strings as you can.
- Turn each papaya half over onto the flat side and make crosswise cuts as thick or as thin as you want. They should look like little half-crescent moons.
How to cut a peeled papaya into cubes
- Make sure the flat side of the papaya half is facing down again. Cut the fruit lengthwise into strips.
- Rotate the papaya and make crosswise cuts to create cubes. You can make the cuts as thick or as thin as you prefer.
How to cut an unpeeled papaya into cubes
- Again, slice the papaya in half lengthwise and scoop out the black seeds. Cut each papaya half lengthwise into quarters, then into eighths. You should have four 1-2-inch strips per side.
- Stabilize one end of the papaya strip with your non-dominant hand. Run the knife along the fruit where it meets the skin and follow it all the way down the strip until you reach the end.
- Cut the papaya strip into 1-2-inch cubes for snacking, then repeat the same steps for the rest of the strips.
Notes
- Use a sharp knife: Always use a sharp knife to ensure clean cuts and prevent the blade from slipping.
- Stable surface: Make sure the cutting board is stable to prevent any accidents. If necessary, place a damp kitchen towel or paper towel underneath.
- Cut it gently: Use a gentle sawing motion instead of trying to push the knife down through the papaya. This will prevent accidents and the fruit from bruising.
- Remove the seeds first: Always remember to scoop out the seeds before you start cutting the papaya into smaller pieces.
- Chill the papaya: A slightly chilled papaya is easier to cut and handle. Plus, it tastes much more refreshing this way!
- Keep a firm grip: Papaya has a slippery texture, so keep your hands clean for a safer grip. If it’s too slippery, keep it unpeeled until the later stages of cutting.
- Use the correct tools: A vegetable peeler is very handy (and quite safe) for peeling the skin, especially for larger papayas.
