Formosa papaya

Growing and harvesting

At the grower's

Formosa papayas grow on the trunk of a tree that can grow up to 4 metres high. The tree trunk is hollow. Cultivation starts with the planting of the seedling when they are 4 weeks old. The papaya is a fast-growing exotic tree: after only 5 to 8 months there are trees of 2 metres with fruit on the field.

From that day on, growers can harvest every day for 18 months, usually one fruit per day. Meanwhile, the trees continue to grow until they reach a height of 3 to 4 metres. After eighteen months, the grower grubs up the field and the process starts all over again.

Growers pay optimal attention to the packaging of the fruits. In the packing station, the papayas are rinsed in a cold-water bath. After drying, the employees select the fruits for ripeness and size.  Each papaya is encased in a protective sock that prevents damage from rolling during transport. The fruits remain in the cold store until they are transported to the Netherlands. Transport is by air, so there are only a few days between the time of harvest and arrival at Nature's Pride.

Recipes & preparation tips

With their soft, aromatic flavour, Formosa papayas are a common ingredient in many recipes. Tropical fruit salads or smoothies are an obvious choice, but there are also more creative applications. Why not try a papaya curry? Find the recipe on the EAT ME consumer website.

• EAT ME website