All you need to know about Jackfruit
Originally published on Medium.
Nowadays, jackfruit’s fame is owed principally to its meat-like texture. As veganism comes more fully into vogue, the search for plant substances that can mimic the taste and feel of meat becomes more urgent. Broken down jackfruit pods look so much like shredded chicken or pork, it could fool anyone! What’s more, its flavor is one that goes well with a whole host of sauces: not overwhelming in and of itself, but just subtly sweet enough to add a little ‘je ne sais quois’ to a dish. Indeed it seems jackfruit was destined to replace meat.
As a lover of plants though, jackfruit simply being a replacement ingredient feels unsatisfactory. The more I used it in my own cooking, the more curious I became about its origins. Surely the jackfruit wasn’t a new invention. But if it wasn’t, how was it used in the past and how did it become popular in the United States of all places?
What is a jackfruit?
Jackfruits are really tree fruits. The scientific name for the tree is Artocarpus heterophyllus (in the same family as figs and mulberries) and are found in tropical regions of Southeast Asia, India, and Africa.
The fruit itself is a large oblong green fruit with a bumpy rind. They can be enormous, growing up to 40lbs, making it the largest in the world. Cut inside it and you’ll find yellow stringy flesh divided into pods. This is the part of the fruit that’s edible. It is actually safe to eat raw and tastes subtly sweet. It is even better when sautéed in spices or mixed into a sauce.
Jackfruit is rife with important vitamins and nutrients, vitamin C, B6, B3, B2, B9, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorous among them. These collectively work to reduce inflammation and potentially lower one’s risk of heart-related illnesses. It is also remarkably safe to eat, though not for those with a latex or birch pollen allergy.
Perhaps most disappointing from the perspective of finding a meat alternative is that jackfruit isn’t exceptionally high in protein. One cup contains only 2.8 grams of protein, far below what one would get from a cup’s worth of chicken at 38 grams. Meat lovers scavenging for the perfect meat alternative would need to look elsewhere for protein sources.
How were they used historically?
The jackfruit has a long and rich history. Jackfruit trees have proven to be remarkably resilient and productive over the centuries (one single jackfruit tree can produce up to 200 jackfruits!), so much so that their fruit has commonly been associated with fertility, prosperity, and sustenance in several ancient cultures.
This abundance led to the jackfruit being deemed the “poor man’s fruit” in India, a connotation denoting its wide usage among the poorer classes. The name has an unfortunate negative connotation that doesn’t match the reality of jackfruit in Indian culture. Unlike rice, corn, or wheat that readily suffer from the effects of climate change or climate events, the jackfruit tree has proven able to withstand extreme weather and still produce. It is this endurance and large production that kept the peoples of India fed during times of climate strife where they otherwise would’ve starved.
Today, the jackfruit is still highly venerated among Indians, and was even declared the national fruit of Bangladesh in 2017. Even more interesting perhaps is that the jackfruit started to travel. Quite suddenly, jackfruit was making its way across the globe.
How did jackfruit become a global superfood?
Despite the fact that jackfruit has been around for centuries, it has only recently been hailed as a “superfood” among health experts. Why?
It’s not secret that vegetarianism and veganism are enjoying an upsurge of followers and promoters. For Americans trying to go plant-based however, this can be a tough journey. American cuisine is rife with delicious meat dishes. One could be forgiven for not wanting to give up their BBQ pulled-pork sandwich, shredded chicken salads, or tacos al pastor. For meat-lovers, something else was needed to replace the qualities that make meat dishes so delicious.
This is where the jackfruit fits in perfectly. Jackfruit’s versatility has always been one of its biggest selling points. Vegan chefs have put this to the test as they discover how many ways jackfruit can replace meat’s texture and develop the same flavor that makes these dishes distinctive. Naturally, jackfruit didn’t disappoint. Not only was it the perfect meat replacement, it’s cheaper to purchase, extraordinarily simple to use, and healthy to boot!
Where can I find jackfruit?
Typically, the jackfruit you’ll find in an American supermarket will come in canned form. Since they’re technically a fruit, try searching for them in the canned fruit section. Rarely will you see an actual jackfruit in the produce section (though I was lucky enough to see one once at Whole Foods). Most come chopped into pods that you can later disintegrate until they have a shredded-meat like look and consistency.
Jackfruit might also be more readily available in Asian or Latin American supermarkets, where they’re used more frequently.
Recipe recommendations
There are several ways to prepare jackfruit, both in Asian or Indian recipes where the jackfruit is historically more well-known, as well as in more modern American recipes with a vegan twist. Below are only a few ideas to think about:
This jackfruit curry from ‘Oh My Veggies’ is a great way to taste how jackfruit is used in Indian cuisine. The spices and coconut milk all come together nicely to form a delectable curry.
For an American recipe, check out this BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich recipe from Love and Lemons. This is the perfect example of how jackfruit can taste and look just like shredded pork and work with typical BBQ flavors.
I’ve seen jackfruit featured in several South American and Caribbean recipes, and it never disappoints. These Jamaican Jerk Jackfruit Caribbean Black Bean and Mango wraps are as delicious as they are creative!
This jackfruit bowl recipe is the perfect recipe when you want something healthier, but that also delivers on flavor. It’s a great way to test jackfruit with Asian ingredients.
And finally, who doesn’t love a good noodle dish! These Thai peanut jackfruit noodles are wonderfully flavorful and quick to whip up. What’s