Difference between Pawpaw and Papaya

In Nigeria (As well as Australia), Papaya is often called pawpaw or papaw. However, pawpaw in some countries of the world is the name of a totally different fruit.

Many of us know Papaya (Carica papaya) as pawpaw. It is a fruit with a yellow, orange or reddish pulp and it is soft when very ripe. It is usually classified under vitamin A -containing fruits. Normally, papaya is eaten raw when ripe and can be cooked when unripe. Even the black seeds are edible.

Apart from vitamin A, you can get lots and lots of vitamin C, a moderate amount of folate and little quantities of other B vitamins (1, 2, 3, 5).  It a good source of powerful antioxidants like carotenoids, lycopene that help protect your health.

Now let me introduce you to the other Pawpaw, or papaw or paw paw.

Pawpaw, Asimina triloba, is native to the eastern part of the US and Canada and its found in the temperate climes. It belongs to the Annonaceae family, just like soursop and custard apples and it is also called Poor man’s bananas. They look like mangoes or stubby bananas . They have a sweet taste similar to banana, mango and pineapple and are often eaten raw. They are also used for desserts.  The fruits are not commercially sold yet.

In terms of nutrition, they also contain a good amount of vitamin A and some vitamin C (not as much as papaya). You will find some appreciable quantities of the B1, B2 and B3 vitamins as well as minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc.

In a nutshell

Both are great fruits that add to daily intake of 5 portions of fruits and vegetables. Try to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your daily meals. You get a lot of protection from them. This post is just for some enlightenment. To get more detailed information about both fruits, you can check online.  In the meantime, don’t forget to eat better and live better.