Papayas are colorful, brightly flavored tropical fruits that have their origin in southern Mexico and Central America. No matter where you live, they can be a delicious, healthy and exotic addition to your regular intake of fruit, from adding it to your smoothies or salads to simply eating it cubed with lime juice or honey.
Because papayas are not as common or familiar as fruits like apples or bananas, you might not know exactly how a papaya should look, how it should taste and whether it is perfectly ripe to eat. Also, because papayas are often shipped in from far-away, warmer climates, the papayas you see in the grocery store may be underripe, overripe, damaged or suffering from fungus or mold. Learn how to tell if a papaya is bad, how to cut a papaya and the best way to consume a papaya.
Hefty, plump and oblong, the average papaya fruit is an average of 7 inches long (though it can be up to 20 inches long) and weighs about a pound. While there are several varieties of papaya, the one youll likely see in your grocery store is the red papaya, which has juicy, melon-like pink/orange flesh and a sweet, slightly musky taste.
Also like melons, papayas have a center filled with seeds. Unlike melons, the seeds are black with a gelatinous outer casing and are edible, though their bitter, peppery taste means that they are often discarded.
Avoid papayas that are bruised, shriveled, or have soft areas. Uncut papayas have no smell or a slightly sweet smell. If it’s too soft, mushy, or has an overwhelmingly sweet smell, it has signs that the papaya is overripe. Cut papayas should smell sweet, not fermented.
Why Does My Papaya Smell Bad?
Papayas arent for everyone. They have a sweet, musky odor that makes it a unique, complex fruit with a tropical, exotic taste. Its beloved in many cultures for its one-of-a-kind, strong flavor, but its also not as mainstream as, say, oranges because its taste isnt always a crowd pleaser, especially if you didnt grow up eating them.
So, what happens if you cut open a papaya and it smells bad (some people even say they smell like vomit)? Well, if the smell isnt overpowering but only sweet and musky, its likely ripe and ready to eat. However, if the musk is overwhelming and sharp, you might have an overripe papaya on your hands that wont be very enjoyable to consume. Of course, it could just be that you dont like the taste of papaya.
Shelf Life of a Papaya
The shelf life of a papaya depends on a number of different factors, including their variety, when they are picked, how they were transported and how they are stored. However, you can still make some generalizations about how long a papaya will be edible after you buy it.
A whole, uncut papaya that is green/unripe when you purchase it will last an estimated four to six days if you keep it in a cool, dry place at room temperature, such as your kitchen countertop. It will last six to nine days before becoming overripe if you store it in the crisper in your refrigerator.
Once you cut a papaya open, it will keep for just a few hours at room temperature before turning mushy and unappealing. However, a cut papaya stored in a closed container in the fridge will stay good for two or three days.
How To Tell When Papayas Are Ripe + Storing Tips
FAQ
How can you tell if papaya is bad?
How fast does papaya go bad?
Can I eat old papaya?
How do you know if a papaya is bad?
A discolored papaya is a sign that it is likely bad. When the skin changes color, you will often find that the flesh becomes extremely soft at the same time. Depending on the species and how far along the ripening process is, a good papaya’s skin should fade from green to yellow or orange and may have hints of orange or red.
will papaya gone bad still be edible?
It is still edible. Most people who consume off papaya will not experience any side effects (other than the decline in taste) and the mouldy bits of off papaya can easily be removed. For those who do experience side effects, this is typically gastrointestinal or skin rash related.
How do you know if a papaya is Rotten?
Dark blotches cover the papaya’s whole outer skin. A bitter flavor can indicate that the papaya is rotten. It has a foul odor. There may be some white markings on the Papaya skin that appear fungus, but this is nothing to be concerned about. It can be removed or wiped away. Even if you freeze it, it happens.
Does papaya go bad?
Before you slice it, it’s important to know when papaya has gone bad, so you don’t get sick. When papaya goes bad, it starts to smell, become mushy, and discolored, and may grow mold. Eating rotten papaya can make you sick, so if you notice any of these signs of spoilage, it’s time to throw it out.