Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is the world’s largest tree fruit — and perhaps the most delicious. Most people don’t realize that jackfruit seeds are also edible. In this article, you’ll find out how to use both the fruit and seeds from your amazing jackfruit.
The start of our love affair with jackfruit
Years ago before we had spoiled rotten pet/backyard ducks, we used to throw an annual summer solstice party in our backyard. On one such occasion, our friend Eliza showed up with a monstrously large, egg-shaped fruit. “Anybody want to try jackfruit?” she asked.
The Tyrant and I are always itching to try new things, and jackfruit was something we’d never seen or heard of before. (Jackfruit’s native range is southern India to Malaysia.) The fruit was sliced open and chunks of orange jackfruit pulp were there for the taking. It was love at first taste…
What does jackfruit taste like? If you remember what the chewing gum JuicyFruit tastes like, then you have a good idea of what jackfruit tastes: tropical and sweet with notes of pineapple and mango.
Even though we grow fruit year round, there’s no easy way to grow jackfruit in our climate zone. As unapologetic jackfruit addicts, this conundrum means that each summer we make a couple trips to our local Asian grocery store to buy jackfruit.
This year, we happened to find a jackfruit on the shelf in March — at Publix no less!
