Have you heard of jackfruit? It is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world. A Jackfruit can weigh up to 100 pounds and grow up to three feet long. (Though, the average size of the fruit is 10 to 25 pounds.) Amazingly, one jackfruit tree can grow about 100 to 200 fruits in a year! Jackfruit is evergreen, easy to grow tropical to sub-tropical tree native to India. It is pest and diseases, and drought resistant. Its huge trees produce massive, green, oblong fruits with a bumpy, fleshy exterior. On the inside, it contains many pale-yellow, plump bulbs, which are edible and joined at the core. The seeds can also be cooked, eaten on their own, or ground into flour. The seeds are especially nutritious. They are high in protein, potassium, calcium, and iron. What Does Jackfruit Taste Like? Eaten ripe and raw, the taste of jackfruit is sweet and similar to pineapple, mango, and banana. When it’s unripe, it has more of a neutral flavor, like a potato, and works well in savory dishes. Jackfruit can be made into a wide variety of dishes, both sweet and savory. And the seeds are often boiled or roasted and eaten as snacks. They are similar to chestnuts or macadamia in taste and flavor. In Thailand, after we cut the ripe bulbs to eat as is or turn them into cake or pastries, ice-cream, and desserts, we like to save the seeds to boil and eat as snack, apart from using the unripe fruit to cook on various delicacies. Jackfruit is also increasingly being used in other parts of the world, particularly in the U.S., as a plant-based meat alternative because the young, unripe fruits soak up flavor well and have a stringy, “meat-like” texture when cooked. As more people move away from animal products in the U.S. and around the world, jackfruit, with its “meaty” texture, is another, more sustainable (and often less processed) option for plant-based meat alternatives. Creative and Delicious Jackfruit Recipes. Here are some recipes for using this unique fruit you can look up: - BBQ Jackfruit - BBQ Jackfruit pizza - Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos - Jackfruit Lettuce Wraps - BBQ Jackfruit Mac and Cheese - Easy Jackfruit Curry - Jackfruit “Crab” Cakes - Buffalo Jackfruit Dip Eating jackfruit isn’t only a fun and meatless way to add something new to your usual meals. It’s also packed with nutrients, including fiber and antioxidants. The benefits of this tropical fruit are impressive. One researcher even called it a “miracle” food because it provides so many nutrients. Nutritionally, jackfruits are rich in carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins A and C, riboflavins, magnesium and potassium. Jackfruits are major source of healthy calories. Two cups boast the following lineup of vitamins and minerals: Fiber: 6 grams Protein: 5.6 grams Vitamin A: 20% of Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) Vitamin C: 36% of RDI Riboflavin: 22% of RDI Magnesium: 30% of RDI Potassium: 28% of RDI Copper: 30% of RDI Manganese: 32% of RDI Jackfruits are also low in glycemic index and hence, are good for diabetics. This is due to their fibrous property, which leads to slow digestion and hence, stagnates blood sugar spikes. Even the presence of protein in jackfruits is known to help in controlling blood sugar levels. The fiber and carbohydrate content in jackfruits is also good for digestion and even supports bowel regularity, especially for those suffering with chronic constipation. Loaded with cartenoids and flavanones, jackfruits are also packed with anti-inflammatory properties. It is because of this that jackfruits are ideal for those suffering with heart diseases and cholesterol issues. Since the tropical fruit contains antioxidants, it is advisable for such patients. The presence of vitamins A and C contributes to a stronger immunity. In south India, jackfruits are also known to treat issues such as diarrhea and asthma. However, studies are yet to prove their benefit in external treatments. You are invited to look up for more benefits of Jack
Have you heard of jackfruit? It is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world. A Jackfruit can weigh up to 100 pounds and grow up to three feet long. (Though, the average size of the fruit is 10 to 25 pounds.) Amazingly, one jackfruit tree can grow about 100 to 200 fruits in a year! Jackfruit is evergreen, easy to grow tropical to sub-tropical tree native to India. It is pest and diseases, and drought resistant. Its huge trees produce massive, green, oblong fruits with a bumpy, fleshy exterior. On the inside, it contains many pale-yellow, plump bulbs, which are edible and joined at the core. The seeds can also be cooked, eaten on their own, or ground into flour. The seeds are especially nutritious. They are high in protein, potassium, calcium, and iron. What Does Jackfruit Taste Like? Eaten ripe and raw, the taste of jackfruit is sweet and similar to pineapple, mango, and banana. When it’s unripe, it has more of a neutral flavor, like a potato, and works well in savory dishes. Jackfruit can be made into a wide variety of dishes, both sweet and savory. And the seeds are often boiled or roasted and eaten as snacks. They are similar to chestnuts or macadamia in taste and flavor. In Thailand, after we cut the ripe bulbs to eat as is or turn them into cake or pastries, ice-cream, and desserts, we like to save the seeds to boil and eat as snack, apart from using the unripe fruit to cook on various delicacies. Jackfruit is also increasingly being used in other parts of the world, particularly in the U.S., as a plant-based meat alternative because the young, unripe fruits soak up flavor well and have a stringy, “meat-like” texture when cooked. As more people move away from animal products in the U.S. and around the world, jackfruit, with its “meaty” texture, is another, more sustainable (and often less processed) option for plant-based meat alternatives. Creative and Delicious Jackfruit Recipes. Here are some recipes for using this unique fruit you can look up: - BBQ Jackfruit - BBQ Jackfruit pizza - Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos - Jackfruit Lettuce Wraps - BBQ Jackfruit Mac and Cheese - Easy Jackfruit Curry - Jackfruit “Crab” Cakes - Buffalo Jackfruit Dip Eating jackfruit isn’t only a fun and meatless way to add something new to your usual meals. It’s also packed with nutrients, including fiber and antioxidants. The benefits of this tropical fruit are impressive. One researcher even called it a “miracle” food because it provides so many nutrients. Nutritionally, jackfruits are rich in carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins A and C, riboflavins, magnesium and potassium. Jackfruits are major source of healthy calories. Two cups boast the following lineup of vitamins and minerals: Fiber: 6 grams Protein: 5.6 grams Vitamin A: 20% of Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) Vitamin C: 36% of RDI Riboflavin: 22% of RDI Magnesium: 30% of RDI Potassium: 28% of RDI Copper: 30% of RDI Manganese: 32% of RDI Jackfruits are also low in glycemic index and hence, are good for diabetics. This is due to their fibrous property, which leads to slow digestion and hence, stagnates blood sugar spikes. Even the presence of protein in jackfruits is known to help in controlling blood sugar levels. The fiber and carbohydrate content in jackfruits is also good for digestion and even supports bowel regularity, especially for those suffering with chronic constipation. Loaded with cartenoids and flavanones, jackfruits are also packed with anti-inflammatory properties. It is because of this that jackfruits are ideal for those suffering with heart diseases and cholesterol issues. Since the tropical fruit contains antioxidants, it is advisable for such patients. The presence of vitamins A and C contributes to a stronger immunity. In south India, jackfruits are also known to treat issues such as diarrhea and asthma. However, studies are yet to prove their benefit in external treatments. You are invited to look up for more benefits of Jack