What is papaya tastes bitter?

Papaya is generally known for its sweet and tropical taste, however, there are some varieties of papaya that may taste bitter. The bitterness in papaya may be due to several reasons such as over-ripening, under-ripening, or stress due to environmental factors like drought or high temperatures.

When papayas are under-ripe, they can have a bitter taste due to the presence of alkaloids, which are natural compounds found in unripe fruits. On the other hand, when papayas are over-ripe, they can develop a bitter taste due to the fermentation of sugars.

Environmental stressors like drought or high temperatures can also cause papayas to taste bitter. This is because the stress can affect the biochemical processes within the fruit, causing changes in its flavor profile.

It's important to choose ripe papayas with a uniform yellow or orange color, which indicates that they are at their peak ripeness. Additionally, storing papayas at room temperature and away from direct sunlight can help prevent them from becoming over-ripe and developing a bitter taste.