The papaya is a highly under-appreciated fruit. When you think of tropical fruits, pineapple and mango comes to mind, but papaya seldom makes an impression.
Growing up, we always had a tree or two of papaya in our garden. It is an extremely easy crop to grow if you have the right tropical conditions, of course. Did you know, a papaya plant can be male, female or bisexual? You had to make sure you didn’t plant only male ones because then they wouldn’t bear fruit.
Mexican papayas are easy to come by here in Texas once summer rolls around. Some varieties can taste a bit bland, but this time, they were beautifully colored and very sweet. Just how I remembered papaya from my childhood.
Look how gorgeous the chunks of papaya are. They have a distinct papaya color, which is neither yellow, orange nor red, but a color of their own!
When summer rolls around, I love to make agua fresca or fruit flavored water. Its not quite juice, but a thinner concoction that makes the best use of seasonal fruit. Last year, I did it all the time with pineapple. So the thought of a papaya agua fresca was especially alluring. I also added a small ripe mango while blending the papaya into a puree. And also some lime and honey, the lime to add a bit of tart freshness and the honey to simply enhance the natural sweetness of the fruit. You can leave out the sweetener if the fruit is especially sweet, otherwise, taste and add as you go.
It was such a welcome drink on a hot, hot summer evening.
I made some papaya fruit kebab sticks to decorate the glasses with and felt quite fancy!
It really is a gorgeous drink, full of flavor and nutrients, because the papaya is really a super fruit in that department. So, if you can get hold of papaya this summer, go ahead and make this agua fresca.
PAPAYA AGUA FRESCA
You will need:
- Papaya – 1 medium-sized and very ripe
- Mango – 1, ripe (optional)
- Lime – 1 small, juiced
- Honey – 1/4 cup or to taste
- Cold water – as needed
- Ice and rosemary sprigs – to serve the drinks
How to:
- Peel a papaya and scoop out the black seeds using a spoon. (Once ripe, the papaya is a very delicate fruit and is very easy to cut). Chop the flesh into big chunks and set aside. Peel and chop a ripe mango, if using.
- Puree the papaya and mango in a blender, adding in a bit of water if needed. Strain the puree into a large pitcher. Add the lime juice and honey and stir to combine.
- Add enough cold water to thin the flavored fruit puree to an easily pourable consistency. I got 2 medium-sized pitchers worth of agua fresca from the papaya seen in the above picture.
- Refrigerate till ready to serve. Serve in a tall glass with ice and sprigs of rosemary and a wedge of lime.
Enjoy this lovely, colorful tropical agua fresca and let me know how you like it. It is a wonderful and light alternative to the heavier milkshakes and ice cream sundaes. Use your favorite fruit to make a cold pitcher of agua fresca and enjoy summer!
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I love papaya, have it every morning before breakfast. I would love to have it in juice form have been told that it is better to have a fruit whole than as a juice,.apparently the sugar content goes up although I don’t see how that can happen…Any ides
Nice and refreshing! And so much lighter than the
Milkshakes and smoothies. I’m surely going to give this a go! 😀
Yes, agua fresca is a light, refreshing alternative to milkshakes. Do give this a try!!
This drink sounds so refreshing! I love the additional bright colors you used in your pictures as well. They came out brilliantly. Happy FF, and have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you!!
It’s so disappointing when the papaya skin tricks you and when you come home, it comes out bland and without any vibrance in color. That happened to me many times so I prefer getting them cut from the market. It is so creative of you to turn them into this amazing drink. Thanks for sharing, Anjana. It’s kinda hot these days so this would be perfect for this week’s FF. Have a wonderful time! Happy FF! 🙂 xx
You are absolutely right. It’s great you can get them cut at the market itself. No such luck for me. So I was really happy when I got a delightful specimen!!
This papaya aqua fresca looks so yummy! I’ve just pinned it so I can make it during the Summer. I found this through the Home Sweet Home link party!
Thank you, Angelina. Do give it a try!
you are posting things that are making me drool terribly, i might need a pint of this drink hehe. thank you so much for joiing ff#68 Justin ex
Hehe… coming right up!!
yay jumps up and down..tries to contain myself
I love all tropical fruits and flavours so this papaya recipe is perfect for me. Love the vibrant colour!
Thank you, Thalia. I love all tropical fruits too!!
This is a gorgeous shot. Love the color contrasts and complimenting soft light.
Woww
Thank you, Prerna!!
what an excellent shot anjana..Loved the pictures and recipe..
This looks and sounds so delicious and refreshing!
Thank you, Julie. It was very delicious!!
I am in love with this drink. The tough of rosemary would have added the nice touch to the tropical goodness. This is just gorgeous.
Thank you, Sonal! I love garnishing with rosemary nowadays, the little one finds mint too strong (ooh…the horror!!) 😉
I love rosemary flavoring
Tasty way to keep yourself fit and fine!
Absolutely!
😀
I didn’t like papaya before but now I have it every week! It’s one of my favourite fruits to nibble on now, lol. This drink looks really good and refreshing!
Papaya can be an acquired taste to some. But I love it!