green papaya

A large, tropical berry (*Carica papaya*) featuring vibrant orange flesh and a central cavity filled with peppery, edible black seeds. It contains papain, a powerful proteolytic enzyme used globally as a meat tenderizer, and offers a sweet, slightly musky, and floral flavor. **Selection & Storage:** A ripe papaya will be mostly yellow/orange and yield to gentle pressure. Ripen at room temperature, then store in the refrigerator; green papaya is used unripe as a crisp vegetable in Southeast Asian salads.