Papaya belongs to the Caricaceae family, and its scientific name is Carica papaya, it is native to the warm climates of North and Central America. It is a giant grass, which grows quickly and is short-lived. Papaya is an oval or pear-shaped tropical fruit, measuring between 10 and 20cm and normally weighing between 500 and 1,000g, although it can reach 5kg. It is a berry with a thin skin, the pulp is orange, sweet and very juicy, its dry seeds are also used. It can be taken as fresh fruit, cooked or in various preparations such as ice cream, soft drinks and jellies. It is a low-calorie and highly digestive food. Papaya is a food rich in water and low in calories, which provides minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and iron and vitamins A and C. It contains papain, an enzyme that promotes digestion.