The papaya, is the fruit of the plant Carica papaya, in the genus Carica. It is native to the tropics of the Americas, and now is also cultivated in the South of China.

The fruit is ripe when it feels soft (like a ripe avocado or a bit softer) and its skin has attained an amber to orange hue. The fruit's taste is vaguely similar to pineapple and peach, although much milder without the tartness.The ripe fruit is usually eaten raw, without the skin or seeds. The unripe green fruit of papaya can be eaten cooked, usually in salads and stews.