A fruit that tastes like pulled pork... that's also good for you? While the concept sounds like it was cooked up in a laboratory, such a fruit exists, and it's made by Mother Nature herself. Here, we have all the details on what jackfruit is, the best ways to prep it, and how and where to find it.
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What Is Jackfruit?
Jackfruit (or jakfruit) comes from the jackfruit tree, a cousin of the fig tree, mulberry tree, and breadfruit family that grows in Southeast Asia. The jackfruit is the national fruit of Bangladesh and looks like an oblong honeydew melon or large mango. The word "jackfruit" comes from the Portuguese word jaca, which 16th-century explorers derived from their pronunciation of the Malaysian name for the fruit, chakka. Today, although it's still exclusively grown in Southeast Asia, jackfruit is enjoyed around the world—on its own, or in raw and cooked recipes.
Some people confuse the jackfruit with the durian fruit, which looks similar, but there is a large difference. Durian has a strong odor that may not be pleasant to everyone; jackfruit smells sweet. Durian fruits are also much smaller than jackfruit; and the outside of durian may have spiky "thorns," while a jackfruit has smooth bumps on its surface.
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What Does Jackfruit Taste Like?
Before you take a bite, it's helpful to know what to expect. The jackfruit texture is not dissimilar to a banana, mango, or pineapple in terms of being dense and fibrous. But the taste is quite distinctive. Some say it's sweet, and some say a jackfruit has a flavor similar to pulled pork, especially when cooked. The seeds of jackfruit are edible, and some compare their taste, which is milky and gummy, to that of a Brazil nut. The inner meat of jackfruit has a yellow, mango-like color, and jackfruit may be sold pre-sliced or canned and in a sugary syrup.
Not only can eating jackfruit provide an exotic treat for your tastebuds, but jackfruit packs a powerful nutrition punch. Besides containing the typical mix of vitamins and minerals you'd find in almost any fruit, jackfruit is a great source of magnesium, vitamin B6, and antioxidants.
Because it has a meaty texture when cooked, it's a good swap for certain meat-based recipes, although it's important to note that jackfruit doesn't have a particularly high protein content, so you may still need a protein source if planning a main course anchored around a jackfruit recipe.
When eaten regularly as part of a varied diet, the vitamins and minerals in jackfruit can help enhance immunity, may contain antioxidants that can help fight cancer, can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, aid in osteoporosis prevention, and improve digestion. It can also be a low-carb, vegan meat substitute for sweet or savory dishes.
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Where to Buy Jackfruit
While jackfruit has long been plentiful throughout Southeast Asia, it used to be tricky to find in the Western world. Not so much anymore. As more and more recipes call for jackfruit, and more and more people are aware of the health benefits of jackfruit, it has become easier to source in the United States. Check your local grocery store; they may be able to get it for you if it's not in the produce aisle already. Here are some places to look for jackfruit—either whole or in jackfruit-derived food products, including dried jackfruit, jackfruit "pulled pork," jackfruit seeds, and canned jackfruit.
However you want to! Many people eat it raw, and some people like to cook jackfruit and use it as a side dish, in salsas, or as part of a salad. Jackfruit can also be a filling, healthy snack thanks to its fiber content.
Jackfruit releases a sticky sap, so experts recommend oiling your knife and work surface prior to cutting a jackfruit. Cut a jackfruit as you would a pineapple: Slice it open and core the interior. It's best to pull the jackfruit meat away from the rind of the jackfruit with your hands or an oiled spoon; it should pull apart easily when tugged. Raw jackfruit can be thrown into smoothies, mixed with yogurt, or added as a sweet topping to ice cream. Cooked jackfruit can be made into burger-like patties, added to tacos or salad, or even can be made into a pulled-pork-like dish, and eaten alone or on sandwiches. Consider using jackfruit in similar ways you'd use chicken to come up with some ideas for recipes that may work for you and your family.
But remember, because it's low in protein, adding a protein source (like beans) is helpful to make a jackfruit meal a complete, balanced meal. For example, jackfruit tacos, with cooked jackfruit and black beans, can be a delicious meat-free meal, and jackfruit can be added to many vegetarian recipes. Jackfruit BBQ is particularly popular. To make jackfruit like pulled pork, use canned jackfruit (in water or brine, not syrup) or slightly unripe fresh jackfruit, and cut or pull to a shredded consistency. Marinate in your favorite barbecue sauce for at least an hour, then sauté on the stove for about 30 minutes, stirring frequently before serving as you would traditional pulled pork, either on a bun or on its own.
Summary. Jackfruit is the largest and heaviest fruit on the planet. It has a rich nutritional profile, with one cup covering most of your vitamins A and C and magnesium needs. It's also an excellent source of carbs, though it doesn't lead to a sharp increase in blood sugar levels thanks to its modest glycemic index.
Research shows that eating jackfruit can potentially reduce the risk of heart disease. “The combination of potassium, fiber and antioxidants can benefit heart health,” Culbertson says. Potassium combats the negative effects of sodium on your blood pressure, while fiber contributes to lowering your cholesterol levels.
The compounds in Jackfruit may help lower blood pressure and help manage heart disease and stroke. The high potassium content of Jackfruit may help reduce blood pressure that affects the blood vessels and heart. However, if you are suffering from any heart conditions, you need to talk to your healthcare provider.
What Does Jackfruit Taste Like? Ripe yellow jackfruit has a subtly sweet flavor, often described as a combination of banana, apple, and mango. Young green jackfruit, on the other hand, has a neutral flavor and texture similar to shredded meat, making it a popular meat substitute in savory dishes.
When ripe, the inside of a jackfruit is bright yellow and the majority of the fruit is comprised of large pods. Once the pods are separated from the jackfruit's rind and core, the seeds can be removed from these pods (although the seeds are edible too!) so all you're left with is the sweet, yellow flesh to eat.
You should avoid drinking water after the consumption of jackfruit as it can lead to diarrhoea. Jackfruit is a high water content fruit that smoothes out bowel movements. So, if you drink water after eating jackfruit, it can lead to even smoother bowel movements and cause diarrhoea.
Jackfruit contains a negligible amount of fat. The low-fat content in jackfruit is one of the reasons it can aid in weight loss. Fat is a high-calorie macronutrient, meaning every serving offers more calories. Therefore, consuming high amounts of fat can lead to weight gain as the excess calories are stored as fat.
Water should be avoided after eating fruits because this combination can interfere with the absorption and digestion process in the stomach, resulting in acidity. This is why some people feel queasy after eating fruit. It is suggested that you drink water for at least an hour after eating fruits.
Jackfruit is rich in carbohydrates, which are high in natural sugars. Those are bad for diabetic patients in large doses. Still, jackfruit is also less in calories and has a moderate glycemic index. It includes insoluble fibre and some protein, hampers digestion, and keeps blood sugar stable.
Protein aside, if you go back to the nutritional content of jackfruit vs chicken above, you'll see that jackfruit has a host of benefits for the body's needs. Jackfruit is low calorie (about 6 times less than chicken), and has no fat or cholesterol.
On the other hand, lower market competition provides sellers and buyers with more options and increased bargaining power, leading to higher jackfruit prices. The price of jackfruit is largely influenced by transportation costs, a factor particularly relevant due to the large and heavy nature of the fruit.
Jackfruit is ready to be harvested when the color of the fruit turns fully yellow from green. In fact, jackfruit becomes more yellow as it ripens. Think of it as similar to a banana that slowly turns yellow as it ripens. Another way to check if it's ripe is to give it a scent test.
Because you can eat it raw or cooked, how to eat jackfruit is pretty straightforward if you want to cook it; there are no proper doneness safety concerns.
The flesh of unripe jackfruit is green, changing to yellow as it ripens. A person can eat the flesh of fresh, ripe jackfruit on its own or use it in a range of recipes, including desserts. Also, many people use fresh, unripe jackfruit as a meat substitute in curries, pies, stir-fries, wraps, and other dishes.
Jackfruit is an exotic fruit grown in tropical regions of the world. It is native to South India. It is part of the Moraceae plant family, which also includes fig, mulberry and breadfruit. Jackfruit has a spiky outer skin and is green or yellow in color.
Jackfruit is very versatile and can be eaten raw or cooked. The most commonly consumed part of the fruit is the flesh, or fruit pods, which are edible both when ripe and unripe. It can be used in sweet and savory dishes including desserts and curries. The seeds are also safe to eat.
Certain people are allergic to it, especially those who are allergic to birch pollen ( 22 ). Moreover, due to its potential to lower blood sugar levels, individuals with diabetes may need to have their medication dosages changed if they eat this fruit on a regular basis.
Because of the high fiber content Jackfruit is difficult to digest. Eat small portions. Secondly it has a large content of natural sugar and this will elevate your sugar in the blood and make you feel restless. Some people are allergic to jackfruit and should avoid it completely.
Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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