Maintaining the Green Color and Eliminating Bitterness in Papaya Flowers When Cooked, Here Are the Tips

Kapanlagi.com - Papaya flowers, one of the cooking ingredients that often adorn the dining tables of the archipelago, are frequently used in stir-fry or vegetable dishes. With a distinctive taste and a bit of bitterness, these flowers add a special touch to every dish. Unfortunately, many people tend to avoid papaya flowers because of their noticeable bitter taste. However, behind that bitterness lies a wealth of nutritional benefits for health!

The bitterness of papaya flowers comes from the enzyme papain, which is also found in papaya leaves. If not processed correctly, this bitter taste can interfere with one's appetite. But don't worry! There are various ways to reduce that bitterness, ranging from boiling them with certain ingredients to using processing techniques that can preserve the natural flavor of papaya flowers.

So, how do you boil papaya flowers properly so they are not bitter and remain fresh green? Let's take a look at the following steps that need to be considered before processing them, as summarized by Kapanlagi.com on Wednesday (12/2).

1. Select and Prepare Fresh Papaya Flowers

The first step in processing papaya flowers to avoid bitterness and keep them green is to pay attention to the condition of the papaya flowers. Here’s how:

• Select flowers that are still fresh. Fresh papaya flowers have a bright green color and a firm texture, making them easier to process and not too bitter when cooked.
• Make sure to separate the main stem from the flowers, as this part tends to be harder and is not suitable for consumption.
• The papaya flowers should be washed thoroughly using running water. This washing process aims to remove dirt and sap that can make the flowers taste even more bitter.
• Gently stir the papaya flowers to ensure that dirt is completely lifted without damaging their texture.
• Washing with salt water can also help remove any remaining sap that sticks.
• Soak the papaya flowers in salt water for a few minutes, then rinse again with clean water before proceeding to the boiling stage.

2. Use Additives to Eliminate Bitterness

To reduce the bitter taste of papaya flowers, several natural ingredients can be added to the boiling water. Here are the ingredients:

• Tamarind, which is known to neutralize the bitter taste in vegetables. The method is quite simple, just add tamarind to the boiling water before adding the papaya flowers.
• Guava leaves are also effective in reducing the bitter taste of papaya flowers. These leaves contain natural compounds that can neutralize the bitter-causing enzyme papain. Add a few leaves of guava to the boiling water and let it boil together with the papaya flowers.
• Juice of lemon or adding the peel to the boiling water. The acidity of lemon will help reduce the bitterness while providing a fresh aroma to the papaya flowers.

3. Proper Boiling Technique to Keep It Green

The duration and technique of boiling greatly affect the final result of papaya flowers. If boiled too long, their natural green color can turn brown, and the texture will become too soft. Therefore, the boiling process must be observed:

• Boil the papaya flowers in boiling water for only 3–5 minutes to keep them green and not lose their nutrients.
• Remove and drain the papaya flowers. To maintain their green color, soak the papaya flowers in ice water or cold water for a few minutes. This technique helps stop the cooking process further and keeps the texture of the flowers crisp.
• If you do not have additional ingredients such as tamarind or guava leaves, boiling with cassava leaves or luntas leaves can also be tried. Both types of leaves work as natural bitter taste neutralizers for papaya flowers.

4. Processing Papaya Flowers into Delicious Dishes

After going through a perfect boiling process, papaya flowers are now ready to be processed according to your taste! One of the most favored methods is to sauté them with garlic, shallots, chili, and a little shrimp paste that will tantalize your taste buds. Don't forget to add salt and sugar to create the right flavor harmony.

If you want to create a soupy dish, papaya flowers can be added to rich coconut milk vegetable stew, helping to neutralize some of their bitterness, or in clear vegetable soup that provides freshness.

Not only that, papaya flowers can also be combined with tempeh or anchovies, adding texture and deliciousness to the dish. With this combination, you will get a flavor-rich dish, perfect to enjoy with warm rice.

5. People Also Ask

Why do papaya flowers taste bitter?

The bitter taste of papaya flowers comes from the papain enzyme that is also present in papaya leaves. This enzyme causes a bitter flavor if not processed correctly.

Can all parts of the papaya flower be consumed?

Not all parts can be eaten. The stem part of the papaya flower is usually harder and should not be consumed.

What is the most effective way to eliminate the bitterness of papaya flowers?

Boiling with tamarind, guava leaves, or lemon peel is the best way to reduce bitterness without changing the color and texture of the papaya flowers.

Can bitterness be removed without boiling the papaya flowers?

Yes, by squeezing the papaya flowers after boiling and washing them repeatedly with cold water.

(kpl/rmt)