Papaya

Papaya

　　Papaya has a relatively long cultivation history in Zhaotong City. It is grown in rural areas of cities and counties such as Zhaotong, Ludian, Qiaojia, Yanjin, Daguan, Yongshan, Suijiang, Zhenxiong, Yiliang, and Weixin. During the Qing Dynasty, locals would slice papaya, preserve it with salt and sugar for eating, or use it to make vinegar or medicine. The papaya grown in Qiaojia and Ludian, known locally as “sour papaya tree,” is prized for its excellent quality. The papaya produced in the papaya orchards of Zhaotong City is large in size, with bright red skin. When placed indoors, it fills the air with a fragrant aroma, hence it is also called “fragrant papaya.” It is considered a premium variety among papaya fruits and enjoys a good reputation in Yunnan. In 1987, the region produced around 10,000 kilograms of papaya. (Zhaotong)