Origin and history
Papaya is the fruit of the papaya tree, a tropical tree native to Central America, probably Mexico or southern Nicaragua. Pre-Columbian peoples already consumed it for its digestive and nutritional properties. Introduced in the 16th century to the tropical regions of Africa and Asia, papaya quickly established itself as a universal health fruit. Christopher Columbus nicknamed it "the fruit of angels" because of its sweet, melt-in-the-mouth flesh. Today, it is recognized as much for its nutritional qualities as for its digestive and antioxidant benefits.