Jackfruit - where to find, how to eat and why?

 Jackfruit is an exotic fruit that is not so popular in the World. However, it is worth reaching for this tasty Asian product, because it has a lot of health properties.

1. What is jackfruit?

Jackfruit is a unique tropical fruit, recognizable by its unique shape and size. Currently, it grows mainly in tropical and subtropical climates. Jackfruit fruit can be found in various parts of India, Thailand, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Brazil. It is also the national fruit of Bangladesh.

Jackfruit is considered the largest wood fruit in the world, with an average weight of 3.5 kg to 10 kg. The outside of the jackfruit is not edible, but the flesh and fruit seeds are edible. The jackfruit's skin is covered with characteristic spines, but they are not prickly and become completely soft as the fruit ripens.

Jackfruit has a sweet taste and a very noticeable and pleasant fruity aroma. Ripe jackfruit fruits taste like mango or peach. The inside of the fruit contains orange-yellow flesh. It is divided into parts that resemble "light bulbs". The flesh surrounds smooth and oval, light brown seeds.

Although the jackfruit is a fruit, its interior resembles the texture of chicken or pork. In addition, the ingredients of the jakfrap are similar to those contained in meat. Therefore, the unripe fruit of jackfruit is often used by vegetarians as a substitute for it.

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2. Nutritional values ​​of jackfruit

Fresh jackfruit fruits are a source of protein, zinc, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium, and iron. Magnesium and iron help improve sleep quality. This element also prevents anemia, which is one of the main causes of insomnia.

However, potassium is an important component of intracellular fluid and helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Thanks to this, the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disorders is reduced.

The dietary fiber contained in jackfruit helps protect the colon mucosa by eliminating cancer-causing substances from the large intestine. Jackfruit also helps to improve the digestive system. Sweet fruit does not cause stomach aches, eaten even in large quantities, and what is more, it facilitates defecation.

Jackfruit is rich in vitamins and free from saturated fat and cholesterol. Fresh jungle fruit contains significant amounts of vitamin A and flavonoids such as beta-carotene, xanthine, lutein, and beta-cryptoxanthin. These compounds have an antioxidant effect on the body.

Vitamin A is also necessary to maintain the integrity of the mucosa and skin. It has been found that eating natural fruit rich in vitamin A protects against oral and lung cancer. After all, thanks to eating jackfruit fruit, vitamin A improves eyesight and prevents cataracts and macular degeneration.

Jackfruit is one of the few fruits rich in the vitamin B complex. Jackfruit contains outstanding amounts of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), riboflavin, and folic acid. It is also a rich source of phenols, niacin, and thiamine. These last two ingredients cure fatigue, stress, and help with weak muscles.

100 g jackfruit pulp provides only 95 calories. "Bulbs" contained in the fruit contain simple sugars such as fructose and sucrose, which when consumed release positive energy and immediately revive the body.

3. How to eat it?

Jackfruit can be eaten raw as a stand-alone dessert, but it can also be added to ice cream, pudding, and fruit salads. Jackfruit pieces mixed with grated coconut, honey, and banana slices are one of the tastiest treats commonly served at celebrations in the south of India.

Many people do not wait for the fruit to ripen but prepare it when it is still relatively small, unripe, and crunchy. Jackfruit is not so sweet then and has a more meaty consistency. In India, this fruit is added to spicy dishes such as curry and to soups and stews.

In Australia, it is suggested to serve a sauce made of jackfruit, which is served with lamb. Some also marinate unripe fruit. Jackfruit can also be used to make patties, casseroles, fruit compotes, jams, and jellies.

Jake's seeds, which contain a lot of protein, can be peeled and cooked as in the case of legumes. In Southeast Asia, they are dried and ground into flour, which is later used for baking.

4. Where to buy a jackfruit

Jackfruits can be obtained mainly in oriental stores. The fruit is sold in cans, in which pieces of jackfruit are dipped in a sweet or salty pickle. For this jackfruit, we will pay from 10 to even 200 bucks for an average of 550 g of this product.

Another alternative is crisp jackfruit chips, which are a tasty snack. You can get them for about 12 for 150 g.