The
fruit is commonly spherical to cylindrical in form, is *5 to **0 mm
or even more in length, and sometimes weighs as much as 9 to *1.5
kg (*0 to *5.5 pounds). In general character it strongly resembles
a muskmelon. The very juicy flesh is deep yellow or orange to
salmon-coloured and about *5 mm thick. Along the walls of the large
central cavity are attached the numerous round, wrinkled black
seeds, the size of peas.
Though its
origin is rather obscure, the papaya may represent the fusion of
two or more species of Carica native to Mexico and Central America.
Today it is cultivated throughout the tropical world and into the
warmest parts of the subtropics.
The
papaya fruit is slightly sweet, with an agreeable musky tang, which
is more pronounced in some varieties and in some climates than in
others. It is a popular breakfast fruit in many countries and is
also used in salads, pies, sherbets, juices, and confections. The
unripe fruit can be cooked like squash
