Today we’re taking a quick look at jack fruit. It’s a fruit which many people are not familiar with so we’re going to learn more about what it is, where it grows, how to harvest it, how to cut and eat it, and the health benefit of this fruit in general. CLICK HERE TO WATCH INSTEAD
WHAT IS JACKFRUIT
Jack fruit is an exotic fruit with a spiky green outer layer and yellow inner fruity pulp which grows in tropical parts of the world such as Africa. It is native to South India. The most commonly consumed part of jackfruit is the yellow flesh, or fruit pods, which are edible both when ripe and unripe. It can be used in sweet and savory dishes, including desserts and curries. The seeds are also safe to eat and most people prepare them like they prepare groundnut.
It’s part of the Moraceae plant family, which also includes breadfruit, fig, and mulberry. When it’s unripe, it’s green in color on the outside and when it’s ripe, it turns greenish-yellow on the outside. it has a sticky glue-like sap that comes out of it when it’s unripe. It is the largest tree fruit in the world and can reach up to 80 pounds (35 kg) in weight.
HOW TO HARVEST JACKFRUIT
Jack fruit can be eaten when it’s ripe and when it’s unripe although most people prefer harvesting it when it’s ripe because it secretes a very sticky glue-like sap when it’s unripe which makes opening it very difficult. If harvesting it when it’s unripe, it’s advisable to wear a glove because the sticky sap could be very difficult to remove. When it’s ready for harvesting, it gives off a fruity aroma when ripe and the outer skin turns yellowish in color. The sticky sap also disappears and turns into this fibrous tissue that holds the fruit pods within the fruit.
HOW TO EAT JACKFRUIT
Jackfruit is a versatile fruit that can be eaten raw or cooked. To prepare it, you open up the fruit with a knife and remove the yellow fruit pods. Within the yellow fruit, pods are the seeds that are also edible. They can be roasted or boiled and then combined with seasonings. Depending on the ripeness, Jackfruit can be consumed plain or cooked into both sweet and savory dishes. Unripe fruit generally tastes best in savory recipes, while the sweetness of the ripe fruit is great for desserts.
NUTRITIONAL COMPONENTS OF JACKFRUIT
The nutrition profile of Jackfruit is quite impressive.
It contains a moderate amount of calories, providing 155 in a one-cup (165-gram) serving.
One cup of sliced fruit provides the following nutrients:
- Calories: 155
- Carbs: 40 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 3 grams
- Vitamin A: 10% of the RDI
- Vitamin C: 18% of the RDI
- Riboflavin: 11% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 15% of the RDI
- Potassium: 14% of the RDI
- Copper: 15% of the RDI
- Manganese: 16% of the RDI
HEALTH BENEFITS OF JACKFRUIT
- It May Benefit Blood Sugar Control
Jackfruit has several properties that may help with blood sugar management. It has a fairly low glycemic index (GI), which is a measure of how quickly your blood sugar rises after eating a food. This has been attributed to the fiber it provides, which slows digestion and helps prevent blood sugar spikes.
2. It May Protect Against Disease
Jackfruit is high in a few powerful antioxidants that provide various health benefits, including a reduced risk of several diseases and improve immune health. Some of the antioxidants abundant in jackfruit include; Vitamin C, Carotenoids, and Flavonones.
3. It may lower blood pressure
Jackfruit is a good source of potassium. According to the American Heart Association (AHA)Trusted Source, foods rich in potassium can help reduce blood pressure. Potassium lowers blood pressure by counteracting the effects of sodium and reducing tension in the walls of blood vessels. However, a potassium-rich diet can be harmful to people with kidney disease or any condition that alters the way that the body regulates potassium.