There are many varieties of papaya on Hawaii island, three commonly grown are the ʻRainbow,ʻ Sunup and Sunrise, each having pinky orange flesh. They are one of my favourite fruits I love to eat for breakfast with a squeeze of lime or passionflower juice. The male flowers are star like and the female ones resemble elegant fallopian tubes. I have created this essence using both flowers. A tree with both of the flowers is hermaphrodite and so is self pollinating. The female flowers are pollinated by many insects including the moths and bees. If a tree has only male flowers the fruit produced is not so sweet or as soft. We tend to cut them down keeping the tastier fruits.

I was surprise to find out that the papaya is a giant herb and not a tree and has many wonderful health benefits. The seeds have anti-parastic properties and the flesh is high in antioxidants so helping reduce inflammation and cellular toxins. The lobed leaves which look a little like fig leaves and the skin contain a digestive enzyme papain that helps break down protein. When the trunk becomes too tall and is cut, a new branch will grow from another portion. It is easier to pick the fruit when they are lower! I also discovered that inside the trunk is a large hollow tube making it much lighter than you would imagine.

The vibration of the essence is preserved in filtered water and vodka at 8.4% alcohol.