Papaya (Carica papaya)—also known as pawpaw—is native to Mexico and dates back more than 1,000 years. The many varieties of papaya range in weight from half a pound to an astounding 22 pounds of delicious goodness.
Although many people discard papaya’s tiny black seeds, they’re highly nutritious and safe to eat. They have a crunchy texture and a slightly peppery flavor. When roasted, the seeds can be ground in a pepper mill and used as a black pepper substitute.
