What Does Jackfruit Taste Like?
We consume different fruits in every season, regardless of summer or winter. These fruits sometimes take their place in our lives as a snack, sometimes as a meal replacement. Of course, there is a fruit for everyone’s taste. Let’s talk about a fruit that you are not used to. Some of you may have heard of or even tried it. That fruit is called jackfruit.
When jackfruit is mentioned, you can start to hear tropical breezes in your ears and nose because this fruit is one of the largest tropical fruits in the world. Its evergreen color and remarkable structure make you want to taste it even at first sight.
Let’s get to know jackfruit closely and let’s find answers to questions such as where it grows, its characteristics and structure, what is its smell and taste, and what are its health benefits.
What Is Jackfruit?
Jackfruit is a tree’s fruit that produces the world’s largest edible fruit. It is also known as jack. It is a member of the Moraceae family of plants, including fruits such as mulberry and fig. This fruit, which looks like breadfruit, is originally grown in India. It grows widely in the Asian continent, especially in Southeast Asian countries, and likes the tropical climate. For example, it occurs spontaneously in tropical rainforests.
This fruit grows on a tree with a long taproot system. The entire structure of the tree produces a milky white and highly sticky milk. Jackfruit, which blooms on old branches and short shoots, can produce up to 500 seeds. In addition, not only its peel and core, but almost every part of it can vegetate in the regions it likes.
When you look at it from the outside, its pointed outer skin and green or yellow color will catch your eye. The average size of this fruit, called the world’s largest fruit, is 15 kilograms and can reach up to 35 kilograms. Of course, larger sizes are often encountered. Let’s talk about the structure, taste, and benefits of jackfruit fruit by giving you another piece of information you will be surprised to hear. Seventy kilograms of jackfruit grown in India signed the world record book.
What Is The Structure and Taste of Jackfruit?
This fruit, whose outer surface is covered with thorns, takes some time to clean and prepare for service, but we believe it will be worth the time.
Jackfruit has a soft, meaty, and oily texture. In addition, this fruit has two ripe and immature varieties. Accordingly, different flavors emerge. When jackfruit is immature, its taste and appearance resemble chicken meat. It is consumed in spicy dishes due to its appearance and taste, similar to chicken meat.
When the fruit reaches the full maturity level, it loses this feature, and a sweet flavor begins to emerge. When you taste the ripe version of Jack, you will be greeted with a taste feast reminiscent of pineapple, banana, and mango in your mouth. You can consume both the fleshy and seeded parts of this fruit with pleasure. You have to cook the seeds when you want to taste them. Because you may encounter the toxic effect of uncooked seeds, you can consume them raw or cooked as you wish when it comes to meaty parts.
Well, we bought this jackfruit, but if you are wondering how to taste it, let’s talk about it a little bit.
How to Taste Jackfruit?
Since jackfruit has a sticky texture, we recommend you wear gloves and lubricate the knife you will use before preparing it to be ready to eat. Next, cut the fruit down the middle and cut it into large slices. Separate the tuber parts of the fruit from the peel with your hands. Strip the tendons on the tubers and remove the seeds inside the tubers. Here is your fruit, ready to taste.
Let’s not forget that this fruit is for you if you are a vegetarian. It is frequently used in vegetarian cuisines because of its chicken-like taste and appearance. It is even used as an alternative to pulled pork in meals.
We talked about the structure of the jackfruit, its taste, and how it tastes. So how does it smell? Generally, we think that if something tastes good, it should also smell good. Let’s talk about the smell of jackfruit.
How Does Jackfruit Smell?
Fruits generally smell good. It is as if they smell appetizing. This time, the situation is a little different in terms of smell. Our fruit has a dominant smell. Therefore, you may not like it because it has a strong odor. If we have to describe its smell with an example, it reminds me of the smell of sugar and rotten onions. Do not let this explanation discourage you from trying the jackfruit. Because, according to some, it does not have such a disturbing smell and is similar to these examples. You should buy it, try it and decide on your own.
Speaking of the smell of the jackfruit, it is impossible not to mention the durian fruit. These two fruits, which are reminiscent of each other with their green spines, brown outer parts, and size, are similar to each other only in appearance.
We should add that durian fruit’s heavy and overpowering scent bothers most people. A plane in Indonesia had to be delayed because of the intense durian fruit smell in the passenger cabin. It makes you think how much the scent can surround an airplane.
Of course, these fruits are not the only smell. Their taste and consumption styles are also different. If you want to learn the differences between jackfruit and durian fruit and get more detailed information, you can check the content we wrote on that subject.
How can you say that a fruit that tastes so good can smell irritating? We don’t know either, but after tasting it, we can say that the smell will not matter.
Let us briefly discuss where and how our fruit is used in the kitchen.
Where and How to Use Jackfruit in The Kitchen?
Its smell is terrible, but we think you will love the smell and taste of the recipes. Let’s dive in!
The raw material of Curry meal, which is widely consumed in Asian countries, is jackfruit. It is a spicy dish made from potato-like seeds from the fruit. In addition, the seeds can be consumed both by boiling and frying. Roasted seeds taste like chestnuts. In addition, this fruit is used to produce ice cream and cream. Even the young leaves are consumed as a vegetable.
If the jackfruit you bought is ripe, you can add it to your smoothie recipes and consume it by mixing it with yogurt and ice cream. You can grind the seeds into flour.
If your jackfruit is immature, you can consume it as a vegetable and meat dish. It goes well with curry and vegan dishes. Especially in these times when veganism starts to become widespread, it is mostly included in vegan recipes with its fibrous structure and degradable features like chicken. As we talk about these dishes, delicious smells come to our noses. By canning, you preserve your fruit for 60 weeks. You can take it out whenever you want and enjoy it.
We briefly touched on where it is used in the kitchen. Now let’s explore its health benefits.
Health Benefits of Jackfruit?
Jackfruit, a powerful antioxidant, is a health-friendly fruit with high nutritional properties and fibrous structure. Thanks to the minerals, vitamins, and components it contains, it purifies the body from toxins. It strengthens your immunity with vitamins A, C, and B in the fruit.
Thus, it protects against diseases such as cancer, blood pressure, and cholesterol. In addition, the jackfruit’s fibrous structure helps regulate digestion while giving the sensation of being full. This fruit, whose benefits will not end, is also beneficial for your skin and hair.
Because it contains powerful antioxidants, it prevents your skin from wrinkling and makes it shine. It also helps your hair regain its former beauty and strengthen it. With its gigantic size, this fruit is a diamond that fell from heaven with its benefits and uses.
Let’s not forget that some people should avoid consuming this fruit. It will cause an allergic reaction, especially for people allergic to birch pollen. Jackfruit, which has the potential to lower blood sugar levels, may cause changes in drug dosages in regular use by those with diabetes. In addition, it will be risky to overdo it with its fatty structure, high calories, and natural fructose content. Therefore, when you want to consume it, discover whether it is suitable for your body and be careful to consume it in moderation.
Conclusion
Considered the largest fruit in the world, the jackfruit fruit is used in various sweet and savory recipes in world cuisines with its striking appearance. And the smell. Jackfruit has a heavy smell contrary to its taste, but let’s ignore the smell because it tastes so good. The amount of consumption is increasing day by day with its many benefits and aromas for human health. If you haven’t tasted this fruit, which is an excellent gift from its tropical world to us, we recommend you to taste it. Do not hesitate to try new flavors and recipes like jackfruit. As you discover, your desire to explore and mastery will increase.
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