Jackfruit

Origins

Until a few years ago, Jackfruit was relatively unknown and uncelebrated outside its heartlands of Asia, Africa and India. Jackfruit is unsurprisingly, a tropical fruit with a thick dimpled green to yellow rind with inner fibrous textured ‘bulbs’ which contain edible seeds. It is from the same botanical family as figs and mulberries. Jackfruit is believed to be the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, with weights of the individual fruits recorded to be up to 40 kilograms or more.

Characteristics

Until a few years ago, Jackfruit was relatively unknown and uncelebrated outside its heartlands of Asia, Africa and India. Jackfruit is unsurprisingly, a tropical fruit with a thick dimpled green to yellow rind with inner fibrous textured ‘bulbs’ which contain edible seeds. It is from the same botanical family as figs and mulberries. Jackfruit is believed to be the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, with weights of the individual fruits recorded to be up to 40 kilograms or more.

Jack Fruit Uses

Ripe Jackfruit may be eaten raw and is often canned in a sugar syrup and shipped around the world to be enjoyed in other destinations. It can be added to smoothies, fruit salads and enjoyed in desserts. Commercially, Jackfruit squash and nectar are available in certain Asian countries. Ripe Jackfruit is also fermented and apparently prepared and enjoyed as a wine by certain tribes in India who reside near the fruit producing areas. This sweeter form of Jackfruit is also available as a dried fruit and can be enjoyed in cereals and yogurt as a topper and used in baking.

In recent years the un-ripened Jackfruit has become the darling of Vegan chefs everywhere as its bland flesh takes on other flavours very easily. It is quite fibrous and stringy and has a texture and appearance that makes it suitable as a meat substitute in dishes like Vegan pulled pork – or spicy pulled jackfruit!

Jack fruit Benefits

Like lots of fruit, Jackfruit has lots of vitamins and minerals and its fibre content makes a valuable contribution to any diet.