Papaya Day: Celebrating Sunny Tropical Fruit

Every year there are scores of anniversaries on August 8th, because it is seen as an auspicious day in Japan. Among the observances is Papaya Day パパイヤの日 and Dole Philippines Papaya Dayドール・フィリピン産パパイヤの日. A cheerful summer commemoration created to promote the fruit’s appeal and expand its presence in Japan.

The "Papaya Day" anniversary has actually been around for a long time, since 1978. Dole, the major international fruit company, added "Dole Philippines Papaya Day" at a later date. Both play on how August 8th, 8/8, can be read as "pa (8) pa (8) iya". The purpose of the latter anniversary is to promote Philippine grown papayas in Japan. I actually took the photo of a papaya tree, in this post, here in Japan!

Nutritionally, papaya is a powerhouse: vitamin C, beta‑carotene, and folate are all abundant.  It also contains papain, an enzyme known for tenderizing meat and aiding digestion. With its gentle sweetness and refreshing finish, papaya is a perfect fruit for the height of summer.