Homestead, FL — Though it is available all year round, the most popular season for papaya is approaching for the New Year, and Brooks Tropicals is, quite literally, bringing a lot more color and flavor to the market with its Caribbean Red® Papaya. Named for its distinctive deep reddish-orange flesh, the Caribbean Red® Papaya, offers a sweeter flavor profile than lighter-colored Maradol papayas, making it a favorite with customers across their North American distribution footprint.
“Fresh fruit is a delicious treat all times of year, but especially when people are celebrating with food, friends, and family, and when trying to make healthier food choices,” said Peter Leifermann, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Brooks Tropicals. “Caribbean Red® Papaya delivers a deeply satisfying sweetness that’s welcome at every table, without added sugars or calories.”
As the tropical storm season subsides, papaya crops come into their tastiest times of year. “We harvest Caribbean Red® Papayas 52 weeks per year, and they’re always tasty” Leifermann added, “but we find that the very best quality starts becoming ripe right around the end of the year and throughout the Spring and into the early summer.” This year’s crop of Caribbean Red® Papayas were largely unaffected by 2022 hurricanes and storms, ensuring there will be a steady supply year-round for all who enjoy the flavor and benefits of the fruit.
Delicious AND Nutritious
“Caribbean Red® Papaya is a true superfruit,” continued Leifermann. “It’s loaded with antioxidants and is rich in cancer-fighting nutrients. It’s a great-tasting food that’s also great for you.” The health benefits of Caribbean Red® Papaya are attributable to higher levels of compounds such as lycopene and anthocyanin. Both have been shown to fight against free-radical damage and inflammation, which, in turn, can improve heart, skin, and digestive health in addition to giving Caribbean Red® Papaya its rosy tint.
As well, papayas are rich in Vitamins A, C, and E, and high in fiber, all of which can lower risk of Type 2 Diabetes, hypothyroidism, liver disease, and even Alzheimer’s. Studies have also shown that papaya can enhance the protective effects of HDL (or “Good”) cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease and blocked arteries.
Caribbean Red® papayas are a very versatile fruit, easy to prepare and add a tropical flavor to any snack or meal occasion. As the US weather turns cold, they give consumers a tasty reminder of their warm, tropical vacations. They can be eaten by themselves or enjoyed in recipes for breakfast, appetizers, desserts, smoothies, salads and more.
The Brooks Tropicals Commitment
Brooks Tropicals has been growing papayas for nearly 30 years and is the exclusive distributor of the Caribbean Red® trademark. The trademark certifies that the papayas represent the finest selected fruit, grown by a single industry leading grower in Guatemala who meticulously harvests and loads papayas into refrigerated containers on the same day for maximum ripeness and freshness.
Caribbean Red® Papayas are also grown in accordance with Primus Labs food safety certification standards and are fully compliant with SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) social compliance benchmarks. Brooks Tropicals is also the only tropical fruit company in the U.S. with a fully funded research and development department, and routinely shares its research with grower partners to further enhance fruit quality and production. It’s important to note too that Caribbean Red® Papayas are grown in food safety audited fields and are not genetically modified or bioengineered. “Caribbean Red® Papaya is a direct reflection of why Brooks Tropicals is committed to doing things the right way for every crop we offer. It’s a difference that can be seen, and most importantly, tasted.” added Leifermann.
About Brooks Tropicals
Founded in 1928, Brooks Tropicals Inc. is a leading family-owned grower, packer and shipper of premium fresh tropical fruits & vegetables from sunny South Florida, the Caribbean, Central and South America. For more information, visit www.brookstropicals.com or contact marketing@brookstropicals.com.
