Papaya

Papaya comes in small portions and large ones for cutting. After candiing, the proportion of fruit pulp and composition are especially important.

Solo and Maradol are different types of fruits; trade cubes do not allow you to restore the original variety.

Orange, red or other color of the finished candied fruit does not prove varietal coloring. Sugar, possible dyes and preservatives are checked according to the manufacturer's information.

History

American origin

Kew places the papaya's native range in southern Mexico and as far as Venezuela. Today it is grown in various tropical regions.

Portion type Solo

The University of Florida describes the spread of a small Solo type across Hawaii. Therefore, the word "Hawaiian" sometimes refers to the type of fruit and does not replace the country of cultivation.

Regions and differences

Tropical crop and commercial types

Regional examples with primary sources are shown. Additional countries are included in the UF/IFAS survey, based on data from the early 2010s; they are not listed as a modern rating.

Oaxaca, Chiapas and Colima, Mexico

The Mexican Department of Agriculture designates these states as papaya zones; Maradol is one of the famous local commodity types.

Large Maradol and small Solo differ in the format of the fresh fruit, but the size of the finished cube is determined by cutting.

For candied fruits, check the actual proportion of pulp and sugar; piece size is not a varietal characteristic.

Hawaii, USA

A university review describes growing Solo, including Kapoho, Sunrise, SunUp and Rainbow.

In the named varieties, the pulp may be yellow or red-orange. The Solo type is also grown outside of Hawaii.

To compare fresh raw materials, check the variety; For candied fruits, the color is assessed along with the composition.

Bahia and Espirito Santo, Brazil

The government's CEAGESP identifies these states as important production areas and separately accounts for the Havaí and Formosa product types.

The name Havaí in the Brazilian market does not mean that the fruit came from Hawaii; type and origin must be distinguished.

To make meaningful comparisons between batches, request both information if available.

South Florida, USA

UF/IFAS describes local Red Lady, Maradol, Tainung No. 1 and Solo; growth is limited by cold and strong winds.

Warm conditions allow long-term fruiting, but unfavorable weather changes the harvest. This is not a promise of the same fruit all year round.

The composition and degree of sugaring of the finished product is more important than a seasonal advertising promise.

• India
• Indonesia
• Nigeria
• Belize
• Guatemala
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Costa Rica
• Malaysia
• Honduras

Types and processing

Solo

Small fruits; different varieties within a type have different flesh colors.

Portioned fresh serving; for candied fruits, the original size does not determine the size of the cut.

Maradol and Tainung

Large types that are found in trade separately from Solo.

Large cutting and processing with confirmed raw materials.

Dried pulp

Form separate from candied fruits: composition and technology must be indicated, even if the product is similar in appearance.

Recipes with controlled sweetness - with a confirmed lack of sweetening.

Candied papaya

Pieces after sweet processing and drying; sugar impregnation changes the original composition.

Cupcakes, dessert mixes and small pops of color.

Drying this product

The FAO describes the osmotic treatment of cut papaya: water is released into solution and solutes can pass into the fruit. About the method

After impregnation, air removes remaining moisture. The exact combination of stages at the supplier must be confirmed separately. About the method

How to choose

• Check the composition of candied fruits, especially sugar and dyes.
• Identical cubes are convenient for dough; long strips - for separate serving.
• Do not transfer the properties of fresh papaya or its enzymes to the product after heating and sugaring.

In the catalog

• Candied Papaya