Jackfruit

Jackfruit is unique for its sweet, delicious taste and large size, growing from 4 to 24 inches long and boasting a diameter of 10 to 30 inches. Jackfruit weighs between 7 and 66 pounds. Some raw food enthusiasts, including this article’s writer, name jackfruit their favorite fruit!

Like durian, jackfruit is covered with projections resembling thorns, which soften as the fruit ripens from a bright green color. Its inside contains bright orange-yellow edible bulbs, encasing brown seeds. These bulbs are embedded in fibrous bands. Its scientific name is Artocarpus heterophyllus.

Jackfruit grows in the Indian subcontinent, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brazil. It is rich in Vitamin C, which helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents.

Jackfruit is ripe when it is light brown and emanates a strong, sweet smell.

This fruit is believed to be the inspiration for the taste of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum.

Stats for 100 Grams of Jackfruit (Raw)

• 95 calories

Notable Nutrients

Percentages based on the Reference Daily Intake for a 2,000-calorie diet

• Fiber: 6%
• Vitamin B1: 7%
• Vitamin B3: 4.6%
• Vitamin B6: 16.5%
• Folate: 6%
• Vitamin C: 22.8%
• Magnesium: 7.3%
• Potassium: 12.8%

Carbs/Protein/Fat

• Carbohydrates: 88.3%
• Protein: 6.1%
• Fat: 5.6%

Food Type

• Sweet fruit

Sources

• http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2249
• http://www.cronometer.com
• http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/jackfruit.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackfruit