1. Appearance and shape: The appearance of papaya is usually round or oval, with many warty protrusions on the surface and light green skin; Wax gourd is long, with smooth skin and light green melon color.

2. Taste and edible part: papaya pulp is white, hard in texture, crisp in taste, and has certain moisture, which can be eaten raw or cooked; The flesh of wax gourd is also white, but the texture is softer and the taste is crisper. Mainly used for cooking, making soup and vegetables.

3. Usage: Papaya is suitable for dishes that need to keep a certain shape when cooking, such as stir-frying and steamed vegetables, because of its high hardness and crisp taste. Wax gourd is often used to make clear soup, stir-fry and cold dishes. Because of its special taste and moisture content, it is often used to make winter melon tea and cold drinks.