This delicious fruit is grown right here on Fairview Estates. We have the perfect climate here in KZN, which is tropical with temperatures between 21–33°C. It is also known as the Papaya.
The fruit is soft-skinned and, small or football-sized, and oblong to pear shaped. The flesh is soft and juicy and is yellow to deep rose in colour. The centre is filled with little black seeds.
The pawpaw tree is small and fast growing and usually grows to 3-10 meters tall with the leaves large and arranged spirally at the top of the trunk. If you thinking of planting some then the soil should be well drained, fertile and needs consistent watering, but avoid waterlogging the soil. The fruit is harvested when the skin begins to turn yellow.
Pawpaw is packed with nutrients that contribute to numerous health benefits:
- Vitamins: Abundant in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and folate.
- Minerals: Provides potassium, magnesium, and trace amounts of calcium.
- Fiber: A rich source of dietary fibre.
- Enzymes: Contains papain, a proteolytic enzyme that supports digestion.
Health Benefits:
- Digestive Health: Papain helps break down proteins, improving digestion.
- Immune Support: High Vitamin C content boosts immunity.
- Skin Care: Antioxidants promote healthy skin and may reduce signs of aging.
- Heart Health: Potassium and fibre support cardiovascular function.
There are many ways in which you can eat Pawpaw’s:
- Cut up and added to fruit salads
- Blended with other fruit like bananas and mango and made into a smoothie.
- As a juice, blended with coconut water.
- Mixed with milk, cream or ice-cream for a creamy shake.
- It can be frozen into a popsicle or made into a sorbet.
- As a preserve, it can be made into a chutney
- As is, cut it open, scoop out the seeds, eat with a spoon and enjoy the fruit.
Some interesting facts to remember when you enjoy your next pawpaw:
- They contain an enzyme called papain, which breaks down proteins.
- It’s widely used as a natural meat tenderizer.
- The milky latex extracted from unripe pawpaw is used in traditional medicine and industries for wound healing and producing medicinal creams.
