Native to southern India, jackfruit is traditionally used in spicy curries, hearty kormas, and a toffeelike pudding called halwa. In recent years, however, the tropical fruit has started popping up in grocery stores and restaurants all over the United States.
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.
Is Jackfruit Healthy?
Naturally rich in potassium and vitamin C and low in fat and calories, jackfruit is a healthful alternative not only to meat but also to highly processed imitation-meat products. One thing to watch out for, though, is sodium: When purchasing canned jackfruit, look for water-packed varieties, as brine-packed varieties can be very high in sodium.
You can purchase jackfruit in several different forms.
Fresh
Look for the fresh fruit in Asian markets or the supermarket produce section. A whole fruit can weigh up to 100 pounds, so grocers often package it in large pieces sold near other precut fruits and vegetables.
Shelf-Stable
Check your supermarket’s Asian food section for canned jackfruit, which comes packed in water, brine, or sweet syrup. Skip the syrup versions to avoid unnecessary sugar. Brine-packed will be high in sodium, and even water-packed varieties can have added sodium. Check the label and thoroughly rinse and drain the fruit before using it in recipes. Trader Joe’s also offers canned green jackfruit in brine. You may also find it in shelf-stable, vacuum-sealed bags, such as Edward & Sons Organic Young Jackfruit, which is available for purchase online.
Refrigerated or Frozen
Some stores sell packaged jackfruit near other vegan foods in the refrigerator or freezer aisle. Upton’s Naturals Original Jackfruit in the refrigerator case has just one ingredient (jackfruit) and only 15 milligrams of sodium per serving.
For more guidance in healthy cooking, check outForks Meal Planner, FOK’s easy weekly meal-planning tool to keep you on a plant-based path. To learn more about a whole-food, plant-based diet, visit ourPlant-Based Primer.
Jackfruit is the world's largest tree fruit, and it can be eaten ripe for a sweet, floral-scented treat, or it can be cooked while unripe and starchy, and flavored with spices for a popular meat substitute.
Ripe jackfruit is commonly eaten raw like other fruits, or it can be used in sweet applications like desserts. Unripe or young green jackfruit can be consumed raw as well, but because of its neutral flavor, it is much more suited for absorbing flavor in savory cooking applications.
But cut out and discard the inner stem that runs down the middle first. Take out all of the arils, then cut out the stringy parts. Nutritionally, jackfruit stacks up similarly to other tropical fruits, with 98 calories and 3 grams fiber per serving. It's a good source of vitamin C.
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.
Is jackfruit healthy? Jackfruit offers several key nutrients, including fiber, protein, vitamin C, B vitamins, and potassium. Those nutrients can help you manage your weight and blood sugar, promote healthy skin, and keep your heart healthy.
Jackfruit can also be harmful if you eat it with milk or carbonated drinks. It may cause digestion and skin issues. 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.
The idea of not drinking water after eating jackfruit is rooted in Ayurvedic beliefs. However, there is no scientific evidence that drinking water right after eating jackfruit, or any food, is harmful. In fact, it can aid digestion and hydrate the body.
Allergy to birch pollen or latex: People who are allergic to birch pollen or latex might also be allergic to jackfruit. Surgery: Jackfruit might cause bleeding and too much drowsiness if combined with medications used during and after surgery. Stop taking jackfruit at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery.
Some people have noticed stomach aches after eating jackfruit. Eating too much can cause diarrhea. Meanwhile, jackfruit seeds contain a chemical that interferes with digestion. Always cook jackfruit seeds before you eat them.
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.
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.
It's not so strange when you consider the fibres in underripe jackfruit mimic the fibrous layers of protein strands that make up meat. This means that unripe jackfruit, when cooked, is similar in texture and appearance to chicken, pork, beef and even fish.
A fascinating "multiple fruit," a single jackfruit is actually composed of hundreds (or thousands!) of mature flowers, each of which are edible. Native to and most commonly used in South and Southeast Asia, it can be eaten raw when it's ripe or cooked when it's unripe.
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.
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.
As a result, it relieves arthritis, osteoporosis, and many other bone conditions. According to studies, jackfruit contains calcium and magnesium, essential for good bone health; their presence prevents people from suffering from these diseases.
Apart from the flesh, jackfruit seeds are also edible and are used in cooked dishes. The jackfruit seeds with a thin brown seed coat, known as spermoderm, are enclosed in a white layer. The brown spermoderm consists of white cotyledon rich in protein and starch.
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.
Introduction: My name is Clemencia Bogisich Ret, I am a super, outstanding, graceful, friendly, vast, comfortable, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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