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Basic Information:
The jackfruit is a species of tree in the fig, mulberry, and breadfruit family. Its original distribution range is unknown but most authors place its center of origin to be within the region between the Western Ghats of southern India to the rainforests of Borneo.
The jackfruit tree is well-suited to tropical lowlands, and its fruit is the largest tree-borne fruit, reaching as much as 55 kg (120 lb) in weight, 90 cm (35 in) in length, and 50 cm (20 in) in diameter. A mature jackfruit tree can produce about 100 to 200 fruits in a year. The jackfruit is a multiple fruit, composed of hundreds to thousands of individual flowers, and the fleshy petals are eaten.
Jackfruit is commonly used in South and Southeast Asian cuisines.The ripe and unripe fruit and seeds are consumed. The jackfruit tree is a widely cultivated throughout tropical regions of the world. It is the national fruit of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Ripe jackfruit is naturally sweet, with subtle flavoring.It can be used to make a variety of dishes, including custards, cakes, or mixed with shaved ice as es teler in Indonesia or halo-halo in the Philippines.
Nutrition, Traditional Use and Research
The statements below describe nutrition facts, traditional use and published research. They are not health claims for our products.
- In traditional folk medicine in parts of Asia, extracts from jackfruit roots have been used for complaints such as fever or diarrhea. These are traditional uses only and have not been proven in clinical research.
- Jackfruit has a comparatively low glycemic index and provides fiber, protein and antioxidants as part of a balanced diet. Whether it has any effect on blood sugar in people has not been established.
- Jackfruit contains a variety of antioxidants. Diets rich in a wide range of fruits and vegetables are generally associated with good health.
- A 2013 laboratory study examined jackfruit leaf extract on samples of pig skin. The researchers suggested that further research on its role in wound healing could be worthwhile; this is not evidence for use in people.
- Jackfruit is a source of vitamin C, which contributes to normal collagen formation (needed for normal skin, bones, cartilage and blood vessels) and to the normal function of the immune system.
- Jackfruit seeds contain prebiotic-type fibers, which are substances that bacteria in the gut can use as food.
Fun Facts:
- The seeds from ripe fruits are edible, and are said to have a milky, sweet taste often compared to Brazil nuts
- The jackfruit is recognized as the largest tree fruit in the world
- In a single year, the jackfruit tree can produce as many as two hundred fifty fruits
- The number of seeds that can be found in a jackfruit range from 100 to 500
- In Indonesia, the hardwood from the trunk of a jackfruit tree is carved out to form the barrels of drums used in the gamelan, and in the Philippines, its soft wood is made into the body of the kutijapi, a type of boat lute
- The wood is termite proof and is superior to building furniture
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackfruit
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/jackfruit-benefits#section8
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324787.php
http://tonsoffacts.com/25-fun-and-interesting-facts-about-jackfruit/