How Long Does Papaya Last?

How long does papaya last? Papaya is a rather delicate fruit with a thin skin. Normally purchased when mostly green in color, they turn yellow when ripe. Once ripe, they do need to be eaten rather quickly.

Actually, the shelf life of papaya depends upon when they were picked, how they are handled and how they are stored.

Don't squeeze a papaya to determine if it is ripe. Simply notice the coloring. A papaya will bruise easily and a bruise turns the flesh a darker shade of red and provides a very mushy taste. An overripe papaya will break apart instead of being able to be sliced.

So, how long does a papaya last? When properly stored, the shelf life of fresh papaya past their picked or purchased date is approximately ...

Our Favorite Food Storage Set!

With oven-safe glass and water-tight lids, these food storage containers are ready for action! Not a Prime Member? Try a 30-day free trial today!

SHOP NOW

Papaya Expiration Date

Counter Refrigerator Freezer
Papaya (Whole) lasts for 4-6 Days 6-9 Days Not recommended
Papaya (Cut) lasts for 2-4 Hours 2-3 Days Not recommended

Of course, all foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But remember, papaya, like a lot of other fresh fruits, usually do not have a use by date or a best by date so you will have to use the date purchased or date picked.

How to tell if Papaya is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

A common trait of a bad papaya is the appearance of brown bruises and multiple sunken spots on the skin. The fruit beneath this skin will be dark and mushy and not a golden yellow or ruby pink. These are signs of an overripe fruit.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Papaya to extend its shelf life?

A whole papaya is best kept on the counter until ready to cut open. Once ripe it can be placed into the refrigerator, but not for long.

Cut fruits should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for extended shelf life. Ripe cut papaya will begin lose its texture and almost disintegrate after a few days in the refrigerator (too mushy to be desirable for most people).

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

How long is Papaya good for when prepared in a dish?

How long does papaya last? That depends. How long do mangoes last? In general, foods last only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the dish with which they are mixed.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Papaya lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Papaya.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Papaya shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!

Our Favorite Food Storage Set!

With oven-safe glass and water-tight lids, these food storage containers are ready for action! Not a Prime Member? Try a 30-day free trial today!

SHOP NOW

Top 10 Most Popular (NEW)