Largest Tree Fruit in the World!

The Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) comes from a tree (also called the Jack Tree or Nangka) that is native to Eastern Asia, such as India and Bangalore, and does well in other tropical areas. It is an important multipurpose tree, famous for its fruit (which is actually a “multiple fruit”) that are capable of reaching 100 lbs. 

The Jackfruit tree is a useful agroforestry tree, with roots that are wide-ranging and help to control erosion and floods, and good in intercroppings. The Jackfruit tree grows fast up to about 75 feet tall and can produce about 100-200 large fruits in a year! In India, it has been planted along highways and railroads as a means of adding to food security.

The Jackfruits are basically oval in shape, but various, and consist of a meaty texture that has a mild flavor when immature. Because of this, Jackfruit is often used as a meat substitute, and is quickly gaining popularity in western markets in vegetarian meat alternative products. Jackfruit is used in numerous dishes in the cuisines of Asian countries. The ripe fruit is sweeter and used for such sweeter dishes as custards and cakes. 

The seeds from the ripe Jackfruits are also edible and consumed either boiled, baked, made into flour or roasted—but also said to be aphrodisiac. The seeds have a taste similar to Brazil Nuts, or like Chestnuts when roasted, but with an aroma like chocolate (and are used as a chocolate substitute). There are interesting applications for market being explored for the Jackfruit, including using the seeds as a natural starch & compact powder in formulations.

The fruits are starchy, provide dietary fiber and vitamin B6. Compared to other tropical fruits, Jackfruits generally have more protein, calcium, iron and thiamine. The protein content in the pulp is approximately 18%, and in the seeds 21%.  The fruits have a strong “fruity” smell that has been described by some as being like Juicy Fruit gum. The “fruits” we eat are actually fleshy petals that are wrapped around the true botanical fruit, which is the seed. 

Medicinally, several parts of the Jackfruit tree are used in traditional medicine extensively, and in traditional medicine it has exhibited anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, intestinal barrier function and hypoglycemic activities. The pulp and seeds are used as cooling tonics—helpful in the hot tropics where the tree grows!

#MedicinalPlants #Ethnopharm #Ethnobotany #theethnobotanicalexplorer #herbalism #northamerica #meatsubstitute #jackfruit #agroforestry #India #Bangladesh
 
*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.

Photo by Denniz Futalan

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