A surefire trick to reduce the bitter taste of papaya leaves is to rely on one kitchen spice.

foto: TikTok/@rianiani195

This trick only requires one type of kitchen spice that is easy to find and can be applied practically at home.

Brilio.net - Papaya leaves are often the choice for a typical home vegetable menu. Usually, these leaves are processed into stir-fries, curries, or simply boiled as raw vegetables. In addition to being delicious, papaya leaves are also known to have many health benefits .

Reported from mskcc.org, papaya leaves contain various antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and minerals that are useful for increasing endurance, facilitating digestion, maintaining healthy skin, and much more.

Even though it is suitable for processing into various dishes, many people avoid it because it has a fairly strong bitter taste.

However, the bitter taste of papaya leaves can actually be reduced in several ways. One method that is often used is to boil it with the addition of certain ingredients, such as clay or tamarind.

On the other hand, there is another simple trick shared by TikTok user @rianiani195. Interestingly, this trick only requires one type of kitchen spice that is easy to find and can be applied practically at home.

First, wash the papaya leaves that you want to cook. Then drain and place the papaya leaves in a bowl. After that, sprinkle enough salt and squeeze until wilted and watery. Well, this technique is said to be effective in reducing the bitter taste of papaya leaves, you know.

"There's only 2 tablespoons of salt, it looks like a lot because it was recorded on camera," explained Riani, quoted by BrilioFood from TikTok @rianiani195.

photo: TikTok/@rianiani195

After the papaya leaves are kneaded with salt until wilted, rinse them under running water until clean. Next, just boil the papaya leaves using boiling water until soft. Once done, the papaya leaves are ready to be processed into dishes according to taste or eaten directly as raw vegetables like Riani did.

photo: TikTok/@rianiani195

Papaya leaves do have a distinctive bitter taste, but with a simple trick using salt, the bitter taste can be reduced significantly. In addition, there are several additional ways that can be done to make papaya leaves more delicious and less bitter when consumed.

Benefits of papaya leaves for health

In addition to its unique taste, papaya leaves also contain many nutrients that are beneficial to the body. Here are some of the benefits:

1. Increase body resistance

The antioxidant content in papaya leaves helps fight free radicals and strengthens the immune system.

2. Facilitates digestion

The natural fiber in it is good for the digestive system and helps overcome constipation problems.

3. Healthy skin

Thanks to its vitamin C and E content, papaya leaves can help maintain healthy skin and speed up wound healing.

4. Lower blood sugar levels

Several studies have shown that papaya leaf extract can help control blood sugar levels.

5. Reduces inflammation

Flavonoid compounds in papaya leaves have anti-inflammatory properties which are good for treating inflammation in the body.

Additional tips to reduce the bitter taste of papaya leaves

Apart from using salt, there are several other methods you can try to remove the bitter taste:

- Boil with guava leaves

Adding a few guava leaves when boiling papaya leaves can help reduce the bitter taste naturally.

- Use coconut water

Boiling papaya leaves with coconut water can give a fresher taste and reduce the sap that makes it bitter.

- Add baking soda

A little baking soda added while boiling papaya leaves can also help remove the bitter taste.

- Combine with other ingredients

When processed into dishes, papaya leaves can be mixed with strong-smelling ingredients such as garlic, chili, or shrimp paste to disguise the bitter taste.

With its many benefits and proper processing methods, papaya leaves can be a healthy and delicious addition to a variety of home-cooked dishes. So, don't hesitate to enjoy this nutrient-rich vegetable!

(brl/lut)