PAPAYA

The Mayans called the papaya plant the “tree of life”. It grew wild in the plains of Central America, Mexico and Panama. Cultivation by indigenous populations made it possible to obtain larger and tastier fruits. In the 16th century Spanish explorers brought the seeds (they survive for years when dried) first to the Caribbean and then to the Philippines. From there they moved on to India, the islands of the South Pacific and Africa. Today papaya grows in all warm tropical regions of the world. Everything from the plant is used: the young leaves for anti-malarial herbal teas, the dried seeds as a light spice, the fruits and juice as a refreshing food.