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    Home » Drinks » Papaya Milk

    Papaya Milk

    Modified: Jan 27, 2024 Published: Aug 26, 2022 by Tracy O. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Besides taro boba, lychee slush, grass jelly drink and red bean ice drink. This papaya milk is an Asian and Central America popular drink. A delightful fusion of tropical sweetness and creamy richness with our irresistible papaya milk recipe. It is great for breakfast or as a snack like a healthy strawberry banana smoothie. Let’s learn how to make papaya milk at home with step by step photos, tips and a video tutorial!

    Like Asian food? Check out these Thai chicken pizza, chicken chop, Vietnamese spring rolls, soy sauce noodles, crispy teriyaki tofu and kimchi fried rice recipes.

    papaya milk in the glass jars with cut up papaya at background

    What is papaya milk (木瓜牛奶)?

    Papaya Milk (木瓜牛奶) is a refreshing and popular drink in Central America (the Dominican Republic) and Asia such as Hong Kong, the Philippines and Taiwan. It's a mixture of papaya, ice, milk and sweet condensed milk. Also, it is a good source of vitamins A, C and D, folate, calcium, phosphorus and potassium. Besides, papaya milk has a rich texture and a pleasant mix of aroma, especially the papaya is ripe and sweet.

    What does papaya milk taste like?

    Papaya milk has a unique taste because of the combination of the sweetness of ripe papaya with the creamy richness of milk. The flavor can vary depending on a few factors such as the ripeness of the papaya and any additional ingredients added, for example sugar or sweet condensed milk.

    Generally, it has a tropical and refreshing taste with hints of papaya's characteristic flavor. It is  sweet, musky, and slightly tangy. The milk adds a smooth and creamy texture to the drink. Also, it balances out the sweetness of the fruit. Overall, papaya milk is often described as deliciously fruity and creamy. Therefore, it makes it a popular choice for a refreshing beverage like lychee slush, grass jelly drink, taro boba and banana strawberry smoothie. 

    What are the benefits of papaya milk drink?

    Papaya milk is rich in vitamins and minerals. It is because papaya is a good source of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as folate, potassium, and magnesium. Milk contributes essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and protein, which are important for bone health, muscle function, and overall wellness.

    Besides, it is good for digestive health. Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which aids in digestion by breaking down proteins. This enzyme helps alleviate digestive discomfort and promote regularity. Also, papaya milk is great to skin by promoting collagen production, reducing inflammation, and protecting against oxidative damage. 

    What is papaya?

    Papaya is a tropical plant and originates from southern Mexico and Central America. There are different types of papaya. I personally love the Hawaiian papaya. It is smaller in size, sweeter and has a pleasant papaya aroma than regular one.

    diced papaya on a white plate and papaya with seeds on the side

    But, Hawaiian papayas are hard to find in my area and most of the papayas here are from Mexico or Central America. Besides, most people like to eat papaya as a fruit. And, Asian like to use papaya to make a savory soup, sweet dessert soup, drink and papaya salad.

    Why does papaya curdle milk?

    Papaya contains enzymes,papain and chymopapain, which are proteolytic enzymes. These enzymes are effective at breaking down proteins. When papaya is mixed with milk, these enzymes can begin to break down the proteins in the milk, causing it to curdle.

    It is because milk contains proteins, casein, which can be broken down by enzymes like papain. When the proteins in milk are broken down, they may form curds, resulting in a curdled appearance and texture.

    The process of curdling can be accelerated by factors such as the acidity of the papaya, the temperature at which the mixture is stored, and the concentration of enzymes present in the papaya. 

    How to prevent papaya from curdling milk?

    Use fully ripe papaya because ripe papaya generally contains fewer active enzymes compared to unripe papaya, which can reduce the likelihood of curdling. Also, limit mixing time to minimize the exposure of milk proteins to the proteolytic enzymes in papaya.

    Besides, control the temperature and keep the mixture in the refrigerator. The best is to consume it after preparing to slow down enzymatic activity. In addition, you can use alternative milk options such as almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk. It may be less prone to curdling when mixed with papaya.

    What are the ingredients for papaya milk?

    This homemade papaya milk or milkshake is very simple. It has only 4 simple ingredients: papaya, ice, milk and sweet condensed milk. This papaya milkshake recipe is for 3-4 servings. If you want a smaller amount, just half the recipe.

    Papaya milk ingredients top view

    Substitutions:

    Can I use sugar or honey instead of sweet condensed milk?

    Yes, you can. I still personally like to add sweet condensed milk for the sweetness in the papaya milk recipe. 

    Is it ok to use other milk?

    Sure! You can use soy milk, coconut milk and almond milk.  

    Storage:

    After making papaya milk, you can store it in the refrigerator. The recommended temperature for storing milk-based beverages is between 32°F (0°C) and 40°F (4°C). However, it is best to consume it as soon as possible for the freshness.

    Cooking tips for how to make papaya milk/ milkshake:

    • Pick a nice, no damage and no bruise papaya. 
    • The best is to cut the papaya when it ripens. The skin will turn yellow from green. 
    • Cut open the papaya, use a spoon to remove the seeds. 
    • Use a knife or peeler to peel off skin. I like to use a knife because it cuts off more skin and the center of the papaya flesh is sweeter. (If you peel the skin too thin, the flesh near the outer skin will have a bitter taste, because the papaya peel contains bitter ingredients.)
    • After that, cut the papaya into cubes. In this homemade papaya milk recipe, I only use 2 cups, around 11 oz, of papaya flesh. 
    • Put ice, papaya, milk and sweet condensed milk into the blender. Then, blend it for 30 seconds-1 minute or until it is smooth. The blending time depends on the power of the blender.
    • The best is to drink it fresh and don’t leave it out too long. 
    • This papaya milkshake recipe is for 3-4 servings. If you want a smaller amount, just half the recipe, which is 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of papaya, 1 cup of ice and 1 tablespoon of sweet condensed milk.

    FAQs:

    Does papaya cause gas?


    Fruits like papaya and plum are high in fiber and water. Fiber will increase the risk of gas or bloating. It is a great natural laxative for constipation.

    Why is papaya milk bitter?


    It can be that the papaya is not ripe or not mature enough. It is because when the papaya is ripe, the flesh is soft and easy to bruise. And, it is not suitable for transportation. Therefore, the fruit growers will pick the papayas and not wait for the ripening of the papayas. This is very normal.

    Also, papaya peel contains bitter ingredients and the seeds have a bitter taste. If you peel the skin too thin, the flesh near the outer skin will have a bitter taste. Therefore, I suggest cutting and peeling a little deeper of the papaya skin out.

    Besides, the unripe papaya contains a high concentration of Papain, an enzyme that breaks down peptide bonds which makes the papaya milk bitter, so the best is to drink it as soon as possible and not leave it too long. 

    Instructions for how to make papaya milk/ milkshake: 

    cut open papaya into half
    1. Wash and cut one medium sized papaya into half. (The best is to cut the papaya when it ripens. The skin will turn yellow from green. )
    use a spoon remove seeds from the papaya

    2. After that, use a spoon to remove and discard the seeds.

    peel the skin off the papaya on a chopping board

    3. Next, use a peeler or a knife to peel off the papaya skin. (I suggest cutting and peeling a little deeper of the papaya skin out, because papaya peel contains bitter ingredients. If you peel the skin too thin, the flesh near the outer skin will have a bitter taste.

    cut the papaya into cubes

    4. Then, cut the papaya into cubes. (In this recipe, I only use 2 cups of papaya flesh, it is around 11 oz.)

    ice in the blender top view

    5. Pour 2 cups of ice (11 oz) into the blender.

    papaya cubes and ice in the blender top view

    6. Put 2 cups of papaya flesh (11 oz) from step 4 into the blender.

    milk and papaya in the blender top view

    7. The following step, pour 2 cups of milk ( 2% fat) into the blender.

    sweet condensed milk, milk and papaya in the blender top view

    8. Add 2 tablespoons of sweet condensed milk into the blender. (You can add more or less depending on your sweetness.)

    blended papaya milk/ milkshake in the blender top view

    9. Close the lid and blend it for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until it is smooth. (The blending time depends on the power of the blender.) Then, pour the milkshake into the jars.

    2 jars of papaya milk top view with papaya at the background

    Enjoy this simple yet delicious and refreshing Asian papaya milk/milkshake recipe! Also, check out these ginger milk curd, pan fried buns, Chinese pickled cucumber, ham fried rice, musubi and black sesame soup recipe. 

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    2 glass of papaya milk in jars with papaya at the background

    Papaya Milk

    Papaya Milk (木瓜牛奶) is a refreshing and popular drink in Asia such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. It has only 4 simple ingredients. 
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Taiwanese
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 135kcal
    Author: Tracy O.

    Equipment

    • Blender

    Video

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups Papaya flesh (11 oz)
    • 2 cups Milk ( I used 2 % fat)
    • 2 cups Ice (11 oz)
    • 2 tablespoons Sweet condensed milk (I used fat free)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Wash and cut one medium sized papaya into half. (The best is to cut the papaya when it ripens. The skin will turn yellow from green. )
    • After that, use a spoon to remove and discard the seeds.
    • Next, use a peeler or a knife to peel off the papaya skin. (I suggest cutting and peeling a little deeper of the papaya skin out, because papaya peel contains bitter ingredients. If you peel the skin too thin, the flesh near the outer skin will have a bitter taste.
    • Then, cut the papaya into cubes. (In this recipe, I only use 2 cups of papaya flesh, it is around 11 oz.)
    • Pour 2 cups of ice (11 oz) into the blender.
    • Put 2 cups of papaya flesh (11 oz) from step 4 into the blender.
    • The following step, pour 2 cups of milk ( 2% fat) into the blender.
    • Add 2 tablespoons of sweet condensed milk into the blender. (You can add more or less depending on your sweetness.)
    • Close the lid and blend it for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until it is smooth. (The blending time depends on the power of the blender.) Then, pour the milkshake into the jars.

    Notes

    Cooking tips for how to make papaya milk/ milkshake:

    • Pick a nice, no damage and no bruise papaya. 
    • The best is to cut the papaya when it ripens. The skin will turn yellow from green. 
    • Cut open the papaya, use a spoon to remove the seeds. 
    • Use a knife or peeler to peel off skin. I like to use a knife because it cuts off more skin and the center of the papaya flesh is sweeter. (If you peel the skin too thin, the flesh near the outer skin will have a bitter taste, because the papaya peel contains bitter ingredients.)
    • After that, cut the papaya into cubes. In this homemade papaya milk recipe, I only use 2 cups, around 11 oz, of papaya flesh. 
    • Put ice, papaya, milk and sweet condensed milk into the blender. Then, blend it for 30 seconds-1 minute or until it is smooth. The blending time depends on the power of the blender.
    • The best is to drink it fresh and don’t leave it out too long. 
    • This papaya milkshake recipe is for 3-4 servings. If you want a smaller amount, just half the recipe, which is 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of papaya, 1 cup of ice and 1 tablespoon of sweet condensed milk.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 348mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 889IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 196mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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    5 from 7 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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    Tracy O.
    About Me

    Welcome to Oh My Food Recipes! Discover delightful meal inspiration in the world of specialty Asian cuisines. Our tried-and-true recipes come with step-by-step photo and video tutorials, making your cooking journey enjoyable and rewarding... Read more!

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