Page 40 - 0319

CARIBBEAN RED PAPAYAS
BROOKS TROPICALS
Sweet and tropical both in taste and aroma, the Caribbean Red® papaya’s flavor and texture will remind shop- pers of a melon. For cost-conscious consumers, these papayas yield a lot of great-tasting fruit for the cost. For retailers and wholesalers, it’s the papaya known for great shelf-life. Brooks’ Caribbean Reds hail from the lush tropics of Guatemala and are food- safety certified.
KEY CARIBBEAN RED PAPAYA POINTS
Taste: Juicy and sweet Caribbean Reds provide a fragrant aroma that’s not musky.
Selection: Caribbean Reds are ripe starting at 50 percent yellow. When the fruit yields to gentle pressure, it’s ready to eat. Their skin should be rela- tively smooth.
Ripening: Keep fruit at room tempera- ture until ripe.
Ethylene Production and Sensitivity: High
Shelf Life: Once 100 percent yellow, the papaya should be used within two to three days.
Brooks’ Availability: Year-round Storage: 50°- 55°F
Humidity: 85% - 95%
Display: Do not mist papayas. Keep them at room temperature.
OUT-OF-THE-BOX PROMOTIONAL IDEAS
 The large size of Caribbean Reds gives a lot of value for the consumer’s produce dollar, and retailers can promote this value.
 Caribbean Red papayas are available year-round. Their bright orange-red color is perfect for displays about spring’s arrival, summer at the beach, fall harvests and any winter display.
 This fruit is a team player, huddling with other melons or berries for great tasting fruit salads. To drive added sales look beyond fruit salads. Any salad — be it coleslaw, kale, and even seafood salad — will sparkle with chopped Ca- ribbean Red papaya.
 Caribbean Reds remind your customers of melons, so increase sales by forming gorgeous skirts of reds around cantaloupes and honeydews.
 Display a cut-in-half papaya with lime wedges, starfruit slice and a plastic spoon, both in the produce section and the meals-to-go section.
Tell shoppers “Don’t refrigerate until ripe!” This papaya is ready-to-eat starting at 50 percent yellow, when it gives to a gentle squeeze. If completely yellow, enjoy within a day or two. Papaya sweetens as it ripens, so holding off slicing brings a sweeter fruit to your table. The skin is very fragile, but most scars are perfectly natural. Once ripe, refrigerate papaya in slices and cubes.
Let customers know they can ripen the fruit faster just like they would an avocado. Place in a closed paper bag with an apple or banana.
USAGE SUGGESTIONS
Caribbean Red papayas can weigh up to six pounds. That’s a lot of fruit, but there are lots of ways to enjoy this papaya:
• Slice open and enjoy with a squirt of lime.
• Blend for a tropical smoothie. • Chop for a salad, combining with
other fruit, lettuce or seafood. • Top a dessert.
• Bake or fry with a veggie.
• Grill for a dinner side or to top
the entree.
Refrigerated papaya in slices or cubes will produce a glorious glaze. This fruit- made glaze makes it ever better for topping yogurt, salads or ice cream with this papaya.
NUTRITION INFO
Papayas are at the top of the list for nutrition and a popular choice for the health-conscious. They are a terrific source of vitamin C, folate, potassium and the digestive enzyme papain. This fruit is also a great source of lutein, beta-carotene, lycopene and beta-cryp- toxanthin, all of which act as antioxi- dants in the body. As antioxidants, they tamp down inflammation and can be effective as cancer-fighting agents.
*Caribbean Red and the Brooks Tropicals logo are registered trademarks of Brooks Tropicals,LLC.
BROOKS TROPICALS
P.O. Box 900160 Homestead, FL 33090 (305) 247-3544
(305) 242-7393 brookstropicals.com info@brookstropicals.com
40 / MARCH 2019 / PRODUCE BUSINESS
MASTERS OF MERCHANDISING
DISPLAY TIPS
Show off what’s inside. Put a shrink- wrapped half in with the whole fruit display, showing off the gorgeous fruit inside.
Display fruit with the end out to show the most color on the fruit and also make it easier for the customer to grab.
Display at least 15 pieces or more and check daily. Cosmetically less appealing fruit usually still has great taste; it’s perfect for the cut-fruit section and smoothie station.