If you love home-style Indonesian dishes, you’re probably familiar with papaya leaves. This leafy vegetable is known for its many health benefits, it can help improve digestion, boost your immune system, and even increase your appetite. But behind all those benefits, there’s one thing that often makes people hesitate: its bitterness. In fact, if you know the right way to prepare it, papaya leaves can be turned into a delicious and savory dish without any bitter taste at all.

How to Boil Papaya Leaves So They’re Not Bitter

Here are a few effective ways to boil papaya leaves so they taste mild and delicious.

1. Choose Young Papaya Leaves

The most important step starts here. Pick young papaya leaves, they’re usually bright green with a soft texture. Older leaves tend to be tougher, contain more sap, and taste much more bitter.

If you have a papaya tree at home, take the leaves from the top part, the smaller ones. Those are usually the most tender and perfect for dishes like stir-fried papaya leaves, sayur bobor, or urap daun pepaya.

2. Soak in Salt Water or Tamarind Water

Before boiling, try soaking the leaves in salt water or in water mixed with a little tamarind pulp. Let them sit for about 15–20 minutes. This helps neutralize the sap that gives the leaves their bitter taste.

Some people also have their own traditional trick, soaking the leaves with guava leaves. It’s said that guava leaves can absorb the bitterness from papaya leaves, making them softer and easier to eat.

3. Boil with Guava Leaves or Rice

This classic method has been passed down for generations and really works. Just boil the papaya leaves together with a few guava leaves. Let them simmer for 5–10 minutes until the leaves soften, then drain and rinse them with cold water.

If you don’t have guava leaves, you can also add a handful of cooked white rice while boiling. The rice helps absorb the bitter compounds from the papaya leaves. The result? Softer, milder leaves that taste much better.

4. Boil Twice to Remove the Bitterness Completely

If you’re still worried about any lingering bitterness, you can try boiling the papaya leaves twice. First, boil them as usual until they wilt, then discard the water. After that, boil again using fresh water for a few more minutes.

This helps remove any remaining sap clinging to the leaves. Just be careful not to overcook them, boiling for too long can make the leaves mushy and reduce their nutrients.

5. Add a Bit of Oil When Boiling

There’s also a simple yet often-overlooked trick: add a little cooking oil to the boiling water. The oil helps break down the sap and makes the leaves softer in texture. You can also sprinkle a bit of salt to further tone down the bitterness.

Once cooked, drain and let them cool slightly before using them as a side dish. For example, stir-fried papaya leaves with anchovies or urap daun pepaya with grated coconut.

Baca juga: How to Boil Bay Leaves for Maximum Benefits

Make Your Papaya Leaf Dishes Creamier and Healthier with FiberCreme!

Now that you know how to boil papaya leaves so they’re not bitter, you can turn them into tasty, healthy, and appetite-boosting home-style dishes.

For a unique twist, try adding FiberCreme to your soups or stir-fried vegetable dishes. This high-fiber creamer can replace coconut milk to give your meals a savory and creamy taste, but in a lighter and healthier way.

Not only is FiberCreme free from cholesterol, it’s also low in sugar, perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy traditional dishes without guilt.

Let’s get creative and make delicious creamy papaya leaf dishes with FiberCreme! Find more recipe inspiration on Instagram @FiberCreme_TV and the Ellenka YouTube channel, and make your cooking time at home even more fun and wholesome every day.