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Papaya: The "Fruit of the Angels"
Known for its sweet, musky flavor and soft, butter-like texture, the papaya has earned the epithet "fruit of the angels." This versatile fruit is enjoyed worldwide and appears in various culinary and cultural contexts.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Carica papaya
- Common Names: Papaya, Papaw, Pawpaw
- Carica papaya is one of 22 accepted species in the Carica genus.
Distribution and Habitat
The papaya is believed to be native to southern Mexico and neighboring Central America. Today, it thrives in nearly every tropical and subtropical country.
Morphological Characteristics
- The papaya fruit is bright and pear-shaped.
- It contains hundreds of black seeds.
Interesting Facts
- Christopher Columbus also referred to papayas as the fruit of the angels.
- Genetically modified papayas have been developed to resist the Papaya Ringspot Virus.