Jackfruit, scientifically known as Artocarpus heterophyllus, is a tropical fruit. Jackfruit is the largest tree fruit in the world, belonging to the mulberry family.
Jackfruits are known for their dinosaur egg-like appearance and slightly odd smell when fully mature.
The spiky fruit is loaded with antioxidants and considered a powerhouse of nutrition. Even climate change and increasing populations have led to calls for jackfruit to be used as a replacement crop for wheat and corn.
Jackfruit is an excellent source of fiber, protein, and vitamin B. Other nutrients it contains include potassium, iron, and calcium.
Beta-carotene, a phytonutrient found in Jackfruit bulbs, gives the fruit its yellow-orange color and its powerful antioxidant abilities.
Jackfruits can reach 80 centimeters in length and 50 centimeters in width when they are ripe, and weigh anywhere between 10 and 50 pounds. A Jackfruit’s rind is green when it is young, but turns yellow as it ripens, and it can develop dark patches.
The edible portion of the Jackfruit is located just beneath the rind of the fruit, the bright yellow ‘bulbs’. In the middle of the fruit runs a pithy core that connects the bulbs to the rind. Five to seven centimeters long, the fleshy bulbs are triangular in shape.
Each fruit contains 100 to 500 edible, brown seeds. If you are preparing the seeds for roasting, they have a thin white membrane that can be removed.
The more mature Jackfruit varies in texture from crisp and crunchy to softer and almost custard-like.
Jackfruits are often described as having an off-putting aroma, similar to overripe fruit. When the fruit is young, it has a sweeter scent.
The taste and flavor of jackfruit are likened to that of bananas and pineapples. Its bulbs mature into an orange-yellow color and its taste becomes sweeter as it matures.
Scientific name of Jackfruit
Artocarpus heterophyllus
Other names of Jackfruit
- Jaca
- Chakka pazham
- Kathal
- Kanun
- Nangka
Nutrition facts of Jackfruit
*Serving size = 100 grams = 3.55 Ounces = 1/2 cup
*DV= % Daily Value (%DV indicates how much nutrients contribute to a person’s daily diet from a serving of a food. DV assists you in determining whether or not a serving of food is high or low in a particular nutrient.)
| Nutrient | Amount | Unit | DV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 95 | KCAL | |
| Fat | 0.64 | GRAM | 1% |
| Protein | 1.72 | GRAM | 3% |
| Carbohydrate | 23.25 | GRAM | 8% |
Calories by source in Jackfruit:
- Calories by carbohydrate in Jackfruith = 88%
- Calories by fat in Jackfruit = 6%
- Calories by protein in Jackfruit = 6%
Fats and Fatty Acid profile of Jackfruit:
- Polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) in Jackfruit = 21%
- Saturated fat (SFA) in Jackfruit = 44%
- Monounsaturated fat (MUFA) in Jackfruit = 35%
Detailed vitamin profile of Jackfruit, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D, Folate, Niacin, Thiamin, and Riboflavin is shown in the chart at the end of the article.
Detailed mineral profile of Jackfruit, Sodium(Na), Calcium(Ca), Copper(Cu), Iron(Fe), Magnesium(Mg), Selenium(Se), Phosphorus(P), Potassium(K) and Zinc(Zn) is shown the chart at the end of the article.
Availability of Jackfruit
Jackfruit is available in summer and fall months
Complete nutrition facts of Jackfruit
Click on the link HERE to download high quality, high resolution and print ready PDF version of the Jackfruit nutrition chart/infographic.
