5.10.09

Bounty of the Bushveldt

We are well into Spring with good rain this far and true to herself, the Bushveldt is already displaying her generous gifts. This papaya tree grows in the backyard of a neighbour and the size of the fruit is about twice that of a normal papaya.

The fruit is just starting to colour and should be ready for a good dollop of creamy vanilla ice cream within the next two weeks - hope Neighbour will be passing one of them along!

It is sometimes called The Fruit of Angels and I can understand why. Not only is it delicious served in many different ways, but it is also extremely healthy to eat. It is very rich in Vitamin C and carotene. Papaya contains enzymes that enable the digestion of proteins and the whitish milk from the skin serves as an excellent meat tenderiser that leaves no taste. Be careful though, if put on the meat to long before cooking, the meat will simply fall apart once cooked.

Some experts even claim that Papaya has rejuvenating and anti-aging properties, though I think it is just because it helps the digestive system to absorb nutrients more efficiently. After a course of antibiotics, Papaya will quickly restore the normal bacteria in the gut. The skin of the Papaya can also be used on wounds and I can personally testify to the healing qualities on mild burns.

All in all, Papaya is a fruit worthy of its popularity and I am looking forward to enjoying many delicious interactions with the "Fruit of the Angels" this summer.

8 comments:

PhilipH said...

That papaya tree really is something!

And the healthy benefits of the fruit makes it just perfect.

Wish I had one in my garden! I really do.

I don't exactly which part of the land you live in but I once knew a chap who had returned from some part of S.Africa at age 65
and was not allowed to take his money out of the country when he retired. He came for a visit with us in Scotland. I've written a bit about him this evening, plus a BBC article on him.

Marit said...

My mom used to eat papaya pits against amoeba. No idea if it worked, but it was one more thing papaya was good for!

A human kind of human said...

Thank you for visiting Phillip. I wonder when this person returned to the UK, was it before or after 1994?

Hi Marit, thanks for your surprise visit to my blog. I do know that Papaya has many more health uses than what I posted but did not want to bore everybody with too much info. It is even believed to prevent certain cancers.

PhilipH said...

Alan Parkes returned to the UK around 1985/6 I think. I read the article in the London Times in 1995 which said he was, I think, about 73/4.

Argent said...

Those papayas sound delicious and now I'm hungry again, thanks :-D

Dimple said...

Hi. I came from the comment you left on Duta's blog. I think this post is really interesting, I learn so much from other bloggers. Blessings!

A human kind of human said...

Hi Dimple, welcome and thanks for visiting. I guess I post a lot about the Bushveldt and it bounty in all forms, but this is where I live...

A human kind of human said...

Argent, I forgot to mention that Papaya is also an excellent diet food as it accelerates the metabolism! lol