Papaya (Red Lady)

The “Red Lady” papaya, as its name implies, is characterized by its red coloration. This internationally recognized variety is extensively cultivated in Sri Lanka. While other papaya cultivars are gaining prominence, the “Red Lady” continues to be available year-round and is commonly found in fruit markets across the country.

The ripening process and distinctive shape of the Red Lady papaya make it easily identifiable among other varieties. Its skin initially turns yellow, followed by the appearance of orange patches in five distinct areas, which gradually spread to cover the entire fruit uniformly. Once the fruit is fully orange and has softened, it is ready for consumption.

During harvesting, it is essential to ensure that the still-green fruit displays a deep orange coloration in five distinct areas, as only then can optimal flavor be assured. However, convincing farmers to allow the fruit to remain on the tree for this duration may require negotiation or higher compensation, since losses due to pests such as birds and squirrels are more likely.

The fruits are notably large and are often harvested prematurely for sale in local markets. In many cases, they are inadequately packed and carelessly transported. Ideally, the fruit should be packed immediately after picking using specialized papaya cushioning nets to ensure safe transport.

Despite the fruit’s firm skin and favorable ripening characteristics, achieving desirable flavor quality in local markets remains challenging. This is primarily because harvesting frequently occurs when the fruit is still immature—sometimes when only a faint yellow tint appears, or even before that stage.