19 Different Types Of Papaya Fruit (With Photos) (2024)

Papaya is one of the most delicious and nutritious tropical fruits around. Not only is it sweet and juicy, but it’s also full of nutrients that are essential for good health. Plus, there’s a range of different types so you can enjoy unique flavors and textures.

In this blog post, we’ll look at 19 different amazing varieties of papaya that might even surprise you with their colors or sizes, we will explore all aspects of these stunningly delicious fruits along with some photos – so you can easily pick your ideal type.

19 Different Types Of Papaya Fruit

1. Solo Papaya

Solo papaya is a type of papaya that is commonly found in Hawaii and is smaller to medium-sized in size. It has a cylindrical shape and bright orange flesh with a smooth, thin skin. This type of papaya is eaten when it’s fully ripe and is known for its sweet and juicy taste, making it popular for use in smoothies, salads, and other dishes.

Growing solo papayas requires tropical climates along with rich, well-drained soils. They are quite resilient to both drought and pest infestations. With the right conditions, solo papayas can easily be grown in any suitable climate.

2. Sunrise Papaya

The Hawaiian Sunrise Papaya is a unique variety of papaya that is native to the Hawaiian Islands. It is also known as Strawberry Papaya due to its red-orange flesh, which has a flavor similar to berries, peaches, and melons. This variety of papaya is available all year round and can be found in many grocery stores.

The Hawaiian Sunrise Papaya has a shallow seed cavity, making it easy to remove the seeds when preparing the fruit for consumption. The skin of this variety of papaya is thin and smooth, making it easy to peel off before eating. The flesh of this type of papaya is juicy and sweet with a hint of tartness. It can be eaten raw or cooked in various dishes such as salads, smoothies, desserts, and more.

3. Maradol Papaya

Maradol papaya is a large, oblong-shaped variety of papaya with sweet and juicy flesh. It is one of the most popular papaya varieties in the world and is widely used for commercial production. The fruit can weigh up to 4-5 pounds, has a thick, green skin, and turns yellow when ripe. Maradol papayas are high in sugar so should be eaten when fully ripe to get the most flavour out of them.

Maradol papayas can be grown in tropical and subtropical climates and are ideal for making juice, jams, and other processed products. With proper care, they will provide bountiful harvests year after year. They require at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day, regular watering to keep the soil moist but not wet, and fertilizer to provide essential nutrients for optimal growth.

4. Formosa Papaya

Formosa papaya is a variety of papaya that is known for its large, elongated shape and sweet, fruity flavor. It is popular in Taiwan and other parts of Southeast Asia, and can weigh up to 3-4 pounds, with the skin color ranging from light green to yellow as it ripens.

Formosa papaya can be eaten fresh, or used in cooking and smoothies. It also makes a great rootstock for other varieties of papaya and has larger, stronger trees than solo papayas that require more space to grow.

5. Washington Papaya

Washington papaya is a hybrid variety of papaya developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for cultivation in tropical climates like Hawaii and Florida. It is characterized by its large size, sweet and juicy flesh, and vibrant orange color. Washington papayas typically weigh more than four pounds each and have a smooth yellow to orange skin with a sweet, juicy flesh inside.

The Washington papaya tree is taller than other varieties reaching heights up to 15 feet. This high-yielding variety of papaya is popular for commercial applications such as juice production and the processing of foods.

6. Hawaiian Papaya

Hawaiian papaya is a unique variety of papaya that is native to the Hawaiian Islands. The fruit has a sweet, tropical flavor and low-calorie count, making it popular among locals and tourists alike.

It typically weighs around 1-2 pounds with small to medium size, and its tree is easy to grow with a compact shape and can reach up to 12 feet in height.

One of its most beneficial qualities is that it is resistant to the destructive papaya ringspot virus which can have drastic impacts on growth rate. All these features make it an ideal choice for those looking to cultivate their own papayas at home.

7. Mexican Papaya

Mexican papaya is a variety of papaya that is native to Mexico and is well-known for its sweet and juicy flesh. The fruit can weigh up to 3-10 pounds and change from green to yellow as it ripens. Mexican papaya has excellent shelf life, making it ideal for commercial cultivation, so they should be picked when ripe.

Mexican papayas are very versatile and can be eaten raw or used in all kinds of recipes, such as salads, salsas, smoothies and desserts. If you want to cultivate it yourself, Mexican papaya needs plenty of sunshine, warmth, and well-draining soil rich with organic matter to thrive. It also requires regular watering to keep the soil moist and occasional fertilizer application for optimal growth. Additionally, pruning helps promote healthy growth and shape control.

By providing the right growing conditions, your Mexican papaya tree will produce plenty of delicious fruit for harvest in no time.

8. Bettina Papaya

Bettina Papaya is a variety of papaya that is mostly grown in Queensland, Australia. This easy-to-grow fruit produces round fruits with sweet flesh and few seeds. Each fruit weighs about 3-5 pounds when ripe, and has a yellowish-green skin with a mild flavor that makes it popular among consumers.

Bettina papayas are great for eating fresh or for using in salads, smoothies, jams, or other recipes. They can also be dried and preserved to enjoy at any time of year. With proper care and the right growing conditions, you can have a thriving Bettina papaya tree in your garden all year round.

9. Guinea Gold Papaya

Guinea gold papaya is a unique variety of papaya native to Western Australia. It produces large, pear-shaped fruits with a thin golden yellow peel and flesh that can weigh over 2-3 pounds and ripen over the course of 15-18 months. It is known for its sweet flavor and juicy texture, making it an excellent choice for salads, smoothies, or to be eaten raw.

Guinea gold papayas can be eaten right away as is, or frozen for later use as they will remain sweet even after picking. These exotic fruits can make a great addition to any meal, whether enjoyed raw or cooked in recipes. For example, the flesh of Guinea gold papaya can be used to add an extra layer of sweetness and texture to salads or other dishes like salsa. The tasty yellow-orange skin can also be cut into thin slices and used as a garnish on desserts and other preparations.

10. Oak Leaved Papaya

The Oak Leaved Papaya is a unique and flavorful fruit native to the Andes Mountains of Western South America. It has a small, oval shape and measures 3-4 inches in length. Its sweet orange-colored pulpy flesh contains edible seeds, making it versatile for many dishes.

This variety is not often grown commercially due to its small size and high seed content, but it is valued as an ornamental plant for its distinct foliage. The Oak Leaved Papaya also boasts hardiness and resistance to extreme weather conditions like drought, heat, and cold. An interesting addition to any garden, it’s sure to delight with its flavor and beauty.

11. Waimanalo Papaya

The Waimanalo papaya is a yellow-orange flesh solo variety, which tends to be larger than other Solo papayas. It has a round shape with a short neck and an average weight of 22 to 39 ounces, measuring about 6 inches in length. The skin is smooth and glossy, while the cavity has a star-shaped appearance. The flesh is thick, firm, and orange-yellow in color, giving it a high-quality flavor that keeps well.

This kind of papaya will start producing its first flowers around six months after being seeded, growing to an average height of 32 inches above the ground. Its seeds have a gender ratio of 66% hermaphrodite to 33% female.

12. Red Lady Papaya

Red Lady is a hybrid papaya variety that is known for its large, oblong fruits that typically weigh 3-5 pounds. It is known for its vibrant orange-red flesh and sweet, juicy flavor when ripe. The fruit is rich in vitamins A, C, and other essential nutrients, as well as papain, an enzyme that helps with protein digestion. It is well suited for both outdoor and container growing and is popular in many tropical and subtropical regions.

13. Samba Papaya

Samba Papaya is a new variety of papaya first introduced to the market in 2018. It has a unique yellow-green spotted skin and an oval shape, with orange flesh that is juicy and sweet when ripe. It is known for its low fiber content, smooth texture, and disease resistance. The Samba Papaya tree has a high yield capacity and can provide local farmers with an excellent economic return.

The Samba Papaya’s distinctive flavor and texture are making it increasingly popular among consumers. When ripe, its skin is smooth to the touch with a yellow-orange color and its flesh is dark orange with a slightly sweet taste. It is easy to grow, disease resistant, and produces high yields – making it an ideal option for local farmers looking to introduce more tropical fruits into their markets.

14. Kamiya Papaya

Kamiya Papaya is a special variety of papaya developed in response to a plant virus that posed a global threat. It has become a favorite choice for growers and consumers since it is highly resistant to this virus.

This variety of papaya boasts a soft, smooth flesh and an exceptionally sweet, citrusy flavor due to its high sugar content.

Kamiya Papayas are easy to grow and quick to harvest – ideal for farmers who want fast yields. All these qualities make Kamiya Papaya an excellent option for those seeking flavorful, disease-resistant fruit. Whether planted at home or bought locally, Kamiya Papayas offer deliciousness and peace of mind.

15. Hortus Gold Papaya

The Hortus Gold Papaya is a variety of papaya originating from South Africa. It has a sweet flavor, and it is much larger in size than its cousin, the Guinea Gold, with some fruits weighing up to 4 pounds. Its bright yellow skin and flesh can be eaten raw or cooked into dishes, adding more sweetness and nutrition to whichever meal you choose to use it in.

It is very versatile as it can be used in desserts, smoothies, or sliced onto fruit platters. Additionally, it is particularly high in essential vitamins and minerals like vitamins A and C, potassium, magnesium, and dietary fiber – making the Hortus Gold Papaya an excellent choice for anyone looking to increase their nutrient intake.

16. Kapoho Papaya

The Kapoho Papaya is a sweet, yellow-fleshed variety of papaya that is popular and grown in the Puna district of Hawaii. This area of the island is known for its ideal climate and soil conditions for growing papayas. The Kapoho Papaya is a favorite among locals and visitors alike due to its sweet flavor and juicy texture. It can be eaten fresh or used in recipes such as salads, smoothies, salsas, and desserts.

17. Tainung Papaya

Tainung Papaya is a hybrid variety of the Sunrise papaya, also known as Formosa papaya. It is a popular variety due to its sweet and juicy flesh. When ripe, it typically weighs between 3-4 pounds and has an elongated shape with pink or light red flesh. The flavor of this variety is quite unique compared to other papayas, making it a favorite among many fruit lovers.

18. Caribbean Red Papaya

Caribbean Red papaya has a sweet and juicy flavor, similar to that of a melon, and has a subtle but pleasant aroma. They contain the enzyme papain, which helps with digestion, while their bright red insides are highly nutritious.

To ripen a Caribbean Red papaya, place it at room temperature (between 70 and 80 degrees), and don’t refrigerate until it’s ripe. The fruit is considered ripe when it yields to gentle pressure and is 50% yellow. Excessive blemishes may appear as it ripens further, but once it turns 100% yellow the papaya should be consumed within two days for optimal enjoyment.

There are lots of ways that you can enjoy Caribbean Red papaya, such as eating them raw or adding them to salads. You can also blend them into smoothies or top them with a creamy topping for an indulgent dessert. No matter how you choose to eat them, these delicious fruits are sure to be a treat.

19. Royal Star Papaya

The Royal Star Papaya is a new addition to the papaya family. It was first discovered in Texas and is a hybrid of Mexican red. This unique variety of papaya has deep orange skin with sweet and juicy pulp. The flavor of this papaya is described as being both sweet and tangy, making it a great addition to any fruit salad or smoothie.

Conclusion

There are many different types of papaya fruit available, each with its own unique flavor and texture. Some popular varieties include the Solo Papaya, Red Lady Papaya, Tainung Papaya, Caribbean Red Papaya, Royal Star Papaya, Hortus Gold Papaya, and Kapoho Papaya. Depending on your personal preference, you may find that one type of papaya is tastier than another. No matter which type of papaya you choose, it’s sure to be a delicious and nutritious treat.