Tutti Frutti with Colorful Raw Papaya Recipe
Introduction
Tutti frutti is a colorful and sweet candied raw papaya treat that adds a delightful burst of flavor and color to many desserts and baked goods. This easy homemade recipe lets you create your own vibrant tutti frutti with just a few simple steps.

Ingredients
- 500 grams raw papaya (papita)
- 7 cups water
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 drops each red, green, and yellow food color
Instructions
- Step 1: Peel the raw papaya and cut it into small cubes.
- Step 2: Boil the papaya cubes in 4 cups of water for 5 minutes until they become semi-transparent. Then drain and set aside.
- Step 3: In a large pan, combine 2 cups of sugar with 3 cups of water and bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Add the semi-cooked papaya cubes to the sugar syrup and stir well.
- Step 5: Boil the mixture for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the syrup reaches a one-string consistency and the papaya cubes are soft but still hold their shape.
- Step 6: Turn off the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Step 7: Divide the cooked papaya cubes and syrup evenly into three portions.
- Step 8: Add 4 drops of red, yellow, and green food color to each portion separately and mix well.
- Step 9: Let the colored papaya cubes soak for 12 hours or overnight so they fully absorb the colors.
- Step 10: Drain off the syrup and spread the tutti frutti cubes on a kitchen towel to dry completely.
- Step 11: Once dry and non-sticky, mix all the colored pieces together.
- Step 12: Your homemade tutti frutti is ready to use immediately or can be refrigerated for later use.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh raw papaya to ensure a crisp texture and vibrant color after candying.
- Adjust the amount of sugar based on your sweetness preference.
- Try natural color alternatives like beet juice or spinach extract for a chemical-free option.
- If you want firmer tutti frutti, reduce boiling time slightly to retain a bit more bite.
Storage
Store the dried tutti frutti in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or refrigerate to extend its freshness for up to a month. When adding to recipes, use it directly; no reheating is needed.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen papaya for making tutti frutti?
Fresh raw papaya works best because it maintains a firmer texture after cooking. Frozen papaya may become too soft and soggy.
How do I know when the sugar syrup reaches one-string consistency?
Take a small drop of syrup between your thumb and forefinger and gently pull apart. If it forms a thin, single thread without breaking immediately, it’s at one-string consistency.
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Tutti Frutti with Colorful Raw Papaya Recipe
- Total Time: 12 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 4 cups of tutti frutti 1x
Description
Tutti frutti is a vibrant, colorful candied raw papaya treat made by boiling papaya cubes in a sugar syrup infused with vanilla and food colorings. This sweet and chewy delicacy is commonly used to enhance desserts and baked goods with its festive appearance and delightful flavor.
Ingredients
Fruit
- 500 grams raw papaya / papita
Liquid & Sweeteners
- 7 cups water (divided: 4 cups for boiling papaya, 3 cups for sugar syrup)
- 2 cups sugar
Flavorings & Colorings
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 drops each of red, green, and yellow food color
Instructions
- Prepare the papaya: Peel the skin of the raw papaya and cut it into small cubes.
- Boil the papaya cubes: In a pot, boil the papaya cubes in 4 cups of water for 5 minutes until they become semi-transparent, indicating partial cooking. Drain off the water and set the papaya aside.
- Make the sugar syrup and combine: In a large kadai or pot, combine 2 cups sugar with 3 cups water and bring to a boil. Add the semi-cooked papaya cubes to the syrup and stir well.
- Cook in syrup: Boil the mixture for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check for a one-string consistency of the sugar syrup and ensure the papaya cubes become soft but still retain their shape.
- Flavor the mixture: Turn off the heat and add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly to incorporate the flavor.
- Divide and color: Divide the cooked papaya and syrup into three equal parts. Add 4 drops each of the red, yellow, and green food colors to separate parts and mix well to evenly coat the cubes.
- Soaking: Allow the colored papaya cubes to soak for 12 hours or overnight to fully absorb the colors.
- Drain and dry: Drain off the sugar syrup carefully and spread the tutti frutti on kitchen towels to dry completely until they are no longer sticky.
- Combine and store: Once dried, mix all the colored papaya cubes together. The tutti frutti is now ready to use immediately or can be refrigerated for later use.
Notes
- The papaya cubes should be soft but not mushy to maintain a pleasant chew.
- One-string consistency means when you take a drop of syrup between your thumb and forefinger and pull apart, it forms a thin string.
- If you prefer natural colors, you can substitute food coloring with natural fruit or vegetable extracts.
- Store tutti frutti in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent stickiness.
- Tutti frutti can be used in cakes, ice creams, puddings, and sweets for added flavor and color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert Ingredient
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: tutti frutti, candied papaya, Indian dessert ingredient, colorful candied fruit, sweet papaya cubes

