Around the World in 40 Fruits – Volume 20 – By Dr. Marli Botha – Article 20 of 40
By Dr. Marli Botha
Jackfruit is the national fruit of Bangladesh, and the state fruit of the Indian states of Kerala (which hosts jackfruit festivals) and Tamil Nadu.
Let’s crack open this fruity heavyweight and see what makes jackfruit the gentle giant of the tropics!
- Jackfruit is the largest fruit borne by any tree, growing up to 88 cm long and weighing up to 27 kilograms.
- The water content in jackfruits is about 80%.
- A single jackfruit tree can yield hundreds of jackfruits in any given year and trees live for 60 to 70 years.
- Jackfruit is packed with essential vitamins and minerals you need for good health. It’s a particularly good source of B vitamins, potassium, and vitamin C.
- It has a distinctive, sweet smell, which some compare to bubblegum and others to overripe fruit, and a flavor with notes of mango, pineapple and very soft banana.
- An unripe jackfruit is a popular meat substitute due to its stringy texture
