The papaya has its origin in Central America and Northern South America. It is a pear-shaped fruit, whose soft juicy pulp is reddish or orange. It contains non-edible black seeds in its core. The papaya has thick peel, intense taste and it is up to thirty centimeters long.

In botany, the papaya is considered to be a berry.

The papaya is rich in papain, a useful enzyme to tenderize meat.