An easy way to remove the bitter taste of papaya flowers and keep the color fresh green

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Apart from having a unique taste, papaya flowers are also rich in nutrients, including fiber, antioxidants, and various vitamins that are good for the body.

Papaya flowers are often used in various typical Indonesian dishes, such as stir-fries, lalapan, and urap. In addition to having a unique taste, papaya flowers are also rich in nutrients, including fiber, antioxidants, and various vitamins that are good for the body. Unfortunately, many people are reluctant to consume it because of its strong bitter taste.

The bitter taste of papaya flowers comes from the sap contained in them. If not processed properly, this sap will stick and make papaya flowers difficult to enjoy. Fortunately, there are some simple ways you can do to reduce the bitter taste without removing the fresh green color.

Wondering how to boil papaya flowers so they are not bitter and stay green? Let's check out the following tips!

Select and Prepare Fresh Papaya Flowers

The first step you need to do is to choose fresh papaya flowers. Fresh papaya flowers have a bright green color and a firm texture. Here are some tips for choosing and preparing papaya flowers:

• Make sure the papaya flowers you choose are still fresh and not wilted.
• Separate the stem from the flower, because this part is harder and not nice to eat.
• Wash the papaya flowers under running water to remove dirt and bitter sap.
• Use salt water to wash the papaya flowers, as this can help remove any lingering sap.

Use Additional Ingredients to Remove Bitterness

To reduce the bitter taste of papaya flowers, you can add some natural ingredients to the boiled water. Here are the ingredients you can use:

• Tamarind: Simply add the tamarind to boiling water before adding the papaya flowers.
• Guava leaves: Add a few guava leaves to the boiling water to neutralize the bitter taste.
• Lemon: Lemon juice or zest can also help reduce the bitterness and provide a fresh aroma.

The Right Boiling Technique to Keep It Green

The duration and boiling technique are very important to maintain the color and texture of papaya flowers. Here are the steps you need to pay attention to:

• Boil papaya flowers in boiling water for 3-5 minutes to keep them green.
• After boiling, remove and drain the papaya flowers, then soak them in ice water to stop the cooking process.
• If there are no additional ingredients, you can boil papaya flowers with cassava leaves or luntas leaves to reduce the bitter taste.

Processing Papaya Flowers Into Delicious Dishes

Once properly boiled, the papaya flower is ready to be processed. One of the most popular ways is to saute the papaya flower with garlic, shallots, chilies, and a little shrimp paste. Add salt and sugar to taste to balance the flavors. You can also add it to lodeh vegetables or clear vegetables for a more soupy dish.

FAQ About Topics

Why do papaya flowers taste bitter? The bitter taste of papaya flowers is caused by the enzyme papain contained in them.

Are all parts of the papaya flower edible? No, the stem part is usually harder and not tasty to eat.

What is the most effective way to remove the bitter taste of papaya flowers? Boiling with tamarind, guava leaves, or lemon peel is the best way.

Is it possible to remove the bitterness without boiling papaya flowers? Yes, by squeezing the papaya flowers after boiling and washing them repeatedly with cold water.

(brl/red)