What is the difference between Chinese quince and papaya? A quick guide to tell them apart

Chinese quince and papaya are both fairly common in the market, and there is a certain similarity between them. When other people talk about papaya, many think of Chinese quince, meaning many people believe Chinese quinceand papaya are the same plant. Actually, they are not: papaya and Chinese quince are two different plants, and there are many differences between them. So today let us learn about their differences together.

1. Different families and genera

Chinese quince and papaya belong to different families and genera. Chinese quince is the traditional Chinese quince; what the market calls Xuanmuquan refers to this fruit, Chinese quince; it is a plant of the genus Chaenomeles in the family Rosaceae; while papaya is a plant of the genus Carica in the family Caricaceae; so they are fruits of two completely different families.

2. Different fruit appearance

The appearance and color of papaya and Chinese quince fruits are different. Generally, the papaya fruit is oblong-spherical, and after ripening the fruit color is orange-yellow or yellow, and after the fruit is cut open the seeds inside are distributed irregularly. The Chinese quince fruit is generally oblong-elliptical, and after the fruit ripens the color is generally dark yellow, not as bright as papaya; after cutting the Chinese quince open, the seeds inside are divided among five locules, very regular, so it is completely different from papaya.

3. Different flower color

When Chinese quince and papaya bloom, their flower colors are also different, so we can also tell them apart during the flowering period. When papaya blooms, the color is generally creamy yellow or yellow-white; but when Chinese quince blooms, the color is generally pale pink, or pink with a little purple. Also, the flower shapes are different, so we can distinguish them well.

4. Different nutritional value and effects

The nutritional value and effects of Chinese quince and papaya are different; if you eat the wrong one, it will produce different effects on the body. Chinese quince is rich in organic acids and vitamins; eating Chinese quince can promote lactation, relieve pain, and enhance immunity. Papaya is mainly used medicinally; it contains large amounts of papain and carpaine, and has good weight-loss and beauty effects, so in our daily life it is often used to make various skin care products, cosmetics, and so on.

5. Different taste

When tasting Chinese quince and papaya, there is still a big difference in taste between the two. Chinese quince generally tastes rather sour and astringent, so we often pickle it before eating; while papaya tastes sweet and sour, and generally you only need to remove the seeds inside and peel off the skin before eating it.

6. Different leaf shape

The leaves of Chinese quince and papaya are also very different. For example, papaya leaves are generally peltate and grow together at the very top of the stem. Chinese quince leaves are generally ovate-elliptic, or elliptic-oblong, or rarely obovate.

The above are some of the main differences between Chinese quince and papaya. We hope it can help you!