Papaya is a great fruit that’s packed with vitamins and minerals. It’s also incredibly delicious! But what does the shelf life of papaya mean? And how long does papaya last? Let’s find out!
When we say “the shelf life of papaya,” we’re talking about the length of time you can keep it in your house before it begins to spoil. First things first: papayas, like all other fruits, have a natural tendency to decay if not handled carefully. Papayas are tropical fruits and won’t last as long as other fruits. To make sure you get the most out of your papaya, it’s important to store it properly.
The truth is that if you keep your papayas in good condition and store them properly, they will last for several months without spoiling—even longer than this! So don’t worry about buying fresh papayas every week—you can enjoy their sweet taste every day!
How long does papaya last?
Papayas are a delicious fruit that is easy to grow and can last for weeks before going bad. Papayas are usually harvested when they are ripe, but there’s also a way to make sure your papaya is as fresh as possible.
Still, you may be curious about how long papaya can keep in your refrigerator. Here’s an overview of the shelf life of fresh papaya, which will answer those questions.
Fresh papayas (whole)
- Room temperature: 2 to 5 days or until ripe
- Refrigerator: 5 to 7 days once ripe
- Freezer: 10 to 12 months (best quality)
What is the shelf life of papayas?
Once ripe, papaya can be kept in the refrigerator for five to seven days. If you want to keep your papaya for longer than that, it’s best to freeze them. Fresh papayas can last up to 10 months in the freezer if they’re stored in a quality-grade container.
How do I make papayas ripen faster?
Stored in good conditions, papayas ripen in about 2 to 5 days at room temperature (about 20°C).
To speed up ripening, put the papayas in a kraft paper bag, seal it, and leave it on your kitchen counter. Fully ripened papayas need to be stored in the refrigerator for maximum freshness.
Do not refrigerate papayas until they are fully ripe. Letting them ripen at room temperature will result in tastier, juicier papayas.
How long do papayas keep in the fridge?
If left to ripen on the counter, papayas will last about 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze papayas?
Yes, you can freeze papaya. Cut it in half and remove the seeds and skin; then cut it into slices or cubes before freezing. Store your frozen package of papaya chunks in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag
How long do papayas keep in the freezer?
If frozen properly, papayas will remain in good condition for up to 12 months and are safe to eat after that time.
How do you know if papayas are expired?
Spoiled papayas usually become very soft, become covered in dark spots, and begin to ooze. Discard the papayas if mold appears or if the papayas smell or look abnormal.
Fresh papayas (cut)
- Refrigerator: 3 to 4 days
- Freezer: 10 to 12 months (best quality)
Cut papayas are best stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days before eating them; don’t put them out on display until they’re mature enough to consume without refrigeration.
If you want to extend their lifespan even further, put them into an airtight container and freeze them. They’ll keep for about 10 to 12 months in the freezer, but will lose some of their flavor and become less firm once thawed. If you want to eat them within a week or two of purchasing them, simply leave them out at room temperature until they’re ripe enough to eat.
Carefully wrap cut papayas with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before storing them in the refrigerator, or store them in an airtight container.
To freeze, cut papayas in half and remove seeds and skin. Cut the papayas into slices or cubes, or balls. Store papaya chunks in the freezer in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag.
Storing papaya
Here are some tips for storing your papayas:
- If you’ve purchased fresh or cut papayas, they should be kept refrigerated or frozen until ready to use. Use within three days of defrosting or freezing and store any unused portion in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
- Put your papayas in a plastic bag and then into the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Store them at room temperature for up to one week before eating.
- Never refrigerate papayas until they’re fully ripe! Letting them ripen at room temperature will result in tastier, juicier papayas.
- If you’re unsure whether or not your papaya is ripe enough for consumption yet, you can try gently squeezing the fruit. If it has a slight give when pressed, then you can take this as a sign of ripeness.
- In the Freezer, put your papayas in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Store them at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius) for up to six months before eating.
- Take care when cutting or chopping your papaya. Be sure to wear gloves and clean your knife after every use (a dull knife won’t allow for as much precision). If you have access to a microwave oven, use it! This will help keep bacteria from spreading throughout your kitchen.
- Do not leave cut papaya at room temperature. This will make it spoil faster.
Conclusion
Papayas are a tropical fruit that can be enjoyed all year round. They’re delicious and nutritious, so it’s important to know how to store them properly so they don’t spoil.
