Shelf Life Tips
- How long do papayas last? The precise answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - after purchasing, keep papayas in a dry area.
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Properly stored, papayas will become fully ripe in about 2 to 5 days at normal room temperature.
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How can you make papayas ripen faster? To hasten ripening, put papayas in a brown paper bag, close it and leave on the counter.
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Do not refrigerate papayas until they are fully ripe - allowing to ripen at room temperature will result in more flavorful, juicy papayas.
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To extend the shelf life of fully ripe papayas, place in a plastic bag and refrigerate.
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How long do papayas last in the refrigerator? Fully ripe papayas will last for about 5 to 7 days in the fridge.
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Can you freeze raw papayas? Yes, to freeze: (1) Cut papaya in half and remove seeds and rind; (2) Slice or cube papaya, or cut into balls; (3) Place in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
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How long do papayas last in the freezer? Properly stored, they will maintain best quality for about 10 to 12 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
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The freezer time shown is for best quality only - papayas that have been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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How to tell if papayas are bad or spoiled? Papayas that are spoiling will typically become very soft, develop dark spots and start to ooze; discard any papayas if mold appears or if the papayas have an off smell or appearance.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
