Papayas

Wholesale Papayas, Maradol and Solo

Papaya is a workhorse for cut-fruit programs. It yields well, it holds its shape in a fruit cup better than melon, and it carries color that makes a display look expensive. Harvest Sensations distributes papaya nationwide with year-round supply out of Miami and Los Angeles.

The Two Types Buyers Should Know

Maradol — the large papaya, typically three to five pounds, with salmon-pink flesh. Built for foodservice cut programs, buffets and juice.
Solo / Hawaiian — small, pear-shaped, one to two pounds, sweeter and more aromatic. The retail single-serve papaya.

They are not interchangeable on a spec sheet. A cut-fruit operation buying Solo will pay far more per usable pound; a retailer buying Maradol for a single-serve set will watch it sit.

Selection and Ripening

Ripe papaya is at least half yellow to orange, gives to light pressure, and smells sweet at the blossom end. Green papaya is a different product entirely — firm, neutral and used shredded in Southeast Asian salads — and should be ordered as such rather than expected to ripen on the shelf.

Papaya ripens well off the tree. Hold at room temperature until the color breaks, then refrigerate at 45–50°F. Below 45°F papaya suffers chilling injury and will never finish ripening.

In the Kitchen

Papaya contains papain, an enzyme that breaks down protein. That makes it a natural meat tenderizer and it also means raw papaya will not set in gelatin and will turn dairy bitter if held. Cut it, seed it, and use it within a day or two for best texture. The black seeds are edible and peppery — some kitchens use them like cracked pepper in dressings.

Nutrition

Papaya is an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of folate, fiber, potassium and vitamin A. It is fat free, cholesterol free and low in sodium.

Order Papayas Wholesale

Tell us your volume, pack and delivery city and we will confirm current availability, sizing and pricing. Reach our Miami or Los Angeles desk through the contact page. Packs, counts and origins change with the season, so ask our sales team for this week’s specs.