Are you ready to embrace the Papaya Power? See why this superfood is hitting Cairns restaurants

This Papaya Week Skybury encourages you to #embracepapaypower. From delicious recipes to its myriad benefits, gear up to delve deep into everything papaya!

Papaya’s nickname is the “fruit of the angels” and it comes from the explorer Christopher Columbus, who, during his voyages to the Americas, was impressed by the sweet and heavenly taste of this tropical fruit!

He famously called papayas “fruta de los ángeles” in Spanish, which translates to “fruit of the angels.” The name stuck and to this day, papayas are enjoyed and celebrated for their delicious flavor and remarkable nutritional benefits.

There are many reasons to #embracepapayapower during Papaya Week 11-17 September 2023! Papaya is considered amazing due to its numerous health benefits and culinary versatility:

1. Rich in Nutrients: Papaya is a nutrient powerhouse, packed with essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, potassium, and magnesium. These nutrients play crucial roles in supporting overall health and well-being.

2. High in Antioxidants: The fruit is a rich source of antioxidants like carotenoids and flavonoids, which help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, protecting cells from damage and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Caffiend Red Papaya Curry

Ochre Tempura Gulf Bugs

3. Boosts Digestion: Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which aids in breaking down proteins and supports digestion. Consuming papaya can help alleviate digestive issues and promote a healthy gut.

4. Supports Immune System: Thanks to its high vitamin C content, papaya helps boost the immune system, enhancing the body’s ability to fight off infections and illnesses.

5. Improves Skin Health: The abundance of vitamin A and C in papaya promotes healthy skin, supporting collagen production, reducing signs of aging, and providing a natural glow.

6. Heart-Healthy: Potassium and fibre in papaya contribute to heart health by helping to maintain healthy blood pressure levels and supporting cardiovascular function.

7. Weight Management: Being low in calories and high in fibre, papaya can be a great addition to a weight management plan, helping you feel fuller for longer and aiding in digestion.

8. Natural Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Papaya contains various compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation and ease symptoms of inflammatory conditions.

9. Hydrating and Refreshing: With its high water content, papaya is a hydrating fruit, perfect for quenching thirst and keeping you refreshed on hot days.

10. Versatile in Culinary Uses: Papaya is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. It can be enjoyed fresh on its own, blended into smoothies, added to salads, used in salsas, chutneys, and even incorporated into savoury dishes.

Overall, the combination of its delicious taste and abundant health benefits makes papaya a truly delightful fruit to include in a balanced and nutritious diet.

What restaurants are participating in Papaya Week?

Restaurant partners Ochre Restaurant, Guyala Café, Caffiend and Skybury’s Café are set to embrace papaya power in specially created papaya dishes on their menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Ochre Restaurant is featuring three papaya dishes; tempura gulf bugs served with papaya, desert lime, coconut and chilli salsa; a salt and pepper chicken with green papaya salad; and a chocolate and papaya mousse dessert with papaya and lemon myrtle sorbet.

Guyala Café has created a breakfast papaya bowl with oats and chia with almond milk, plus a Thai-style Roo Salad with peppered, sous vide kangaroo, green papaya, palm heart and coriander slaw with nước chấm dressing for lunch.

For breakfast at Caffiend there is a papaya bowl with Blueberry and Açai with seeds, nuts, crispy coconut and dehydrated papaya while lunch features Papaya Red Curry served with crispy skin, pan-fried barramundi fillet, papaya Thai red curry sauce and green papaya with palm heart slaw.

In addition to their regular menu of yummy papaya dishes, Skybury Café’s chef is presenting an Italian classic, a ragu, with a twist: the tomatoes have been swapped out for red papaya and the red wine for Skybury’s own papaya vodka, so it’s a dish that comes with a kick!