The jack tree is well-suited to tropical lowlands and is widely cultivated throughout tropical regions of the world. It bears the largest fruit of all trees, reaching as much as 55 kg (120 pounds) in weight, 90 cm (35 inches) in length, and 50 cm (20 inches) in diameter.^[rx][rx] A mature jack tree produces some 200 fruits per year, with older trees bearing up to 500 fruits in a year. The jackfruit is multiple fruits composed of hundreds to thousands of individual flowers, and the fleshy petals of the unripe fruit are eaten.^[rx][rx] The ripe fruit is sweet (depending on variety) and is more often used for desserts. Canned green jackfruit has a mild taste and meat-like texture that lends itself to being called a “vegetable meat”.^[rx]

Jackfruit is commonly used in South and Southeast Asian cuisines.^[rx][rx] Both ripe and unripe fruits are consumed. The jackfruit is the national fruit of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and the state fruit of the Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It is available internationally canned or frozen and in chilled meals as are various products derived from the fruit such as noodles and chips.

Artocarpus heterophyllus is also referred with various common names such as Jackfruit tree, Jackfruit, jack, jak, Banun, Ekifenensi, Kaihal, Kanthal, Kathal ke beej, Katahal, Kathal, Katthar, Khanun, Khanum, Khnaor, Kothal, Kifenensi, Kos, Kulu jaka, etc. It belongs to the family Moraceae. The tree is medium-sized which grows from 28 to 80 ft in height. The leaves are dark green, elliptical, 3-12 cm broad, and 5-25 cm long. The fruit is produced on side branches as well as main branches. It produces slightly oval fruit which has spiky light green skin. The fruit weighs about 3.5 to 10 kg. The interior part of the fruit possesses orange to yellow colored bulbs that possess sweet-flavored sheaths. These bulbs possess a smooth, light brown colored and oval seed which measures about 2-4 cm long and is 1-3 cm thick. Each fruit possesses from 100-500 edible bulbs. Being edible, these seeds are a great source of dietary fiber, complex carbohydrates, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, A, and minerals such as zinc, calcium, and phosphorus. It also possesses saponins, isoflavones, lignans. The tree does well in tropical humid and rainy climates and is rarely survival in cold and frosty conditions. The unripened fruits are usually green and turn to light brown in color when get ripened.

Jackfruit facts

It is a tropical or subtropical evergreen tree that is inherent to India and Malaya Peninsula. The tree is large and straight trunked. The fruits have the shape of melon that has 1-3′ long and 9-20″ in diameter. The unripened fruits are pale green which turns greenish to yellow with soft custard and yellow inner flesh. The fruits are prepared as vegetables. The leaves are glossy, leathery, and elliptic to ovate.

Jackfruit Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.

History

Jackfruit was originated from Southwest India and was spread throughout Southeast Asia and Tropical Africa. In the 12^th century, it was introduced to the Philippines and domesticated. It is highly regarded for its fruit, medicinal uses, and timber for India and Southeast Asia.

Nutritional value

Jackfruit is loaded with Vitamin C, A, riboflavin, thiamin, potassium, calcium, sodium, zinc, and niacin. 165 grams of raw jackfruit contains 157 calories. It is a great source of potassium that helps to lower blood pressure. Due to the richness in Vitamin C, it acts as an antioxidant that eliminates free radicals, makes gum healthy and strengthens the immune system. It also includes the phytonutrients such as isoflavones, lignans, and saponins that have numerous health benefits and provide antiulcer, antihypertensive, anticancer, and antiaging properties. It prevents the formation of cancer cells, counteracts stomach ulcers, lowers blood pressure, and also slows down the degeneration of cells. It has niacin which is essential for nerve function, energy metabolism, and synthesis of hormones.

Varieties of Jackfruit

1. Black Gold

It is the jackfruit that produces medium-sized fruit of about 6.7 kg. It has a dark green exterior with a sharp fleshy spine that is zig-zag. The flesh is soft with a sweet, strong flavor as well as aroma.

2. Cheena

Cheena is an exotic fruit that produces narrow, long, and uniform fruits in shape as well as size. It has green skin with blunt spines that are yellow. The fruits are small and weigh about 2.4 kg. It has deep orange flesh which is soft and fibrous. It possesses an excellent flavor with an intense and earthy aroma.

3. Cochin

This fruit is small and smooth which produces fruit of 1.5 kg. It possesses mild and firm flesh with little latex.

4. Red Bartlett

It is the fruit of medium and oval shape. The color of the fruit is bright green to pale yellow in color having a uniform shape. It has a firm and deep orange flesh with a mild and sweet flavor as well as a sweet aroma.

5. Golden Nugget

This variety has dark green and rounded leaves. It possesses small, round and green fruits with fleshy spines on its skin. When it matures, the spines become smooth and turn into gold to yellow. It has deep orange flesh which is soft to medium-firm.

6. Golden Pillow

It was introduced in Thailand in the 1980s. It bears the fruit of 3.6 to 5.5 kg. It contains from 65 to 75 seeds in fruit with little latex. It has crisp and thick flesh of golden color. It has a sweet and mild flavor.

Health Benefits of Jackfruit

The pulp derived from the young fruits is used as vegetables that might be pickled or canned. It is used in making jam, chutney, jelly, and paste. Its pulp is also used to flavor beverages and ice cream. The seeds are consumed roasted, boiled, dried, or salted as table nuts. The root of Jackfruit is used as an aid for asthma and skin diseases. The root extract is used to cure diarrhea? and fever?. This fruit is a great source of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals such as phosphorus, zinc, and calcium. It also possesses antihypertensive, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer?, and anti-aging properties. Let us discuss the health benefits in detail:

1. Promotes immunity? power

Jackfruit is a great source of Vitamin C, antioxidants as well as cancer-fighting phytonutrients such as isoflavones, lignans, and saponins. It also counteracts the free radicals that exist in the body. The antioxidants help to enhance immune function by eliminating the existing free radicals from the body. It counteracts cancer and strengthens the immune system.

2. Provides magnesium

Magnesium is vital for maintaining the bone’s structure. Women have high chances of magnesium. Magnesium helps to lower high blood pressure, heart disease, and insulin? is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes? by providing strong bones.

3. Lowers heart problems

This fruit has a high content of Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, and folic acid which helps to lower heart disease. It occurs due to the low content of homocysteine which is essential for the building block of protein.

4. Supports digestion

Jackfruit is helpful for the digestive health and people with constipation?. The seeds are a great source of dietary fiber which assists constipation and supports in weight loss?.

5. Treat fracture? risk. সহজ বাংলা: হাড় দুর্বল হয়ে ভাঙার ঝুঁকি বেশি।" data-rx-term="osteoporosis" data-rx-definition="Osteoporosis means weak, fragile bones with higher fracture risk. সহজ বাংলা: হাড় দুর্বল হয়ে ভাঙার ঝুঁকি বেশি।">osteoporosis?

Jackfruit has calcium which lowers the chances of fracture? risk. সহজ বাংলা: হাড় দুর্বল হয়ে ভাঙার ঝুঁকি বেশি।" data-rx-term="osteoporosis" data-rx-definition="Osteoporosis means weak, fragile bones with higher fracture risk. সহজ বাংলা: হাড় দুর্বল হয়ে ভাঙার ঝুঁকি বেশি।">osteoporosis? and its onset. Osteoporosis occurs when the body is not able to replace the lost calcium. Jackfruit is a great source of calcium which helps to treat the condition of osteoporosis.

Traditional uses

• Leaves ashes are used to treat diarrhea?, ulcers, stomach ache, and boils.
• The decoction made from the root is used to lower fever? and treat skin diseases, diarrhea? and asthma.
• The latex possesses anti-bacterial? properties.
• Sap acts as a vermifuge and anti-syphilitic.
• The mixture of dried latex and vinegar is used to speed up the healing of abscesses, glandular swellings, and snakebites.
• It prevents contamination with bacteria that are caused due to food-borne illnesses.
• The seeds and pulp of jackfruit are used to overcome the influence of alcohol.
• Roots are used as an aid for asthma and skin diseases.
• In order to treat fever?, diarrhea?, and asthma, use 3-4 cups of decoction of root daily.
• The fruit pulp is used to suppress alcohol in the body.
• The bark is used to treat boils, fever?, skin problems, and wounds.
• In Mauritius, it is used for the treatment of insulin? is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes?.
• The hot water extract of mature leaves is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat insulin? is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes?.
• Fruit latex is used to treat ophthalmitis, dystopia, and pharyngitis.
• The bark is used to lower intestinal motility and used to treat dysentery as well as diarrhea?.
• It is helpful for people with erectile dysfunction, low libido, and premature ejaculation.
• It prevents the body from bacterial? infections and viral? infections.
• It improves the immune system.
• The daily intake of this fruit helps to prevent cancer and also eliminates free radicals.
• It assists the bowel movement.
• It helps to enhance eyesight.
• It also assists in the clotting of blood.
• The extract of leaves and latex assist in the prevention of ringworm infestation and also heals the crack feet.
• It also lowers the appearance of wrinkles.

Precautions     

• Pregnant women should not use it because as it possesses sedative properties it could promote abortion.
• It also increases coagulation in people with blood disorders.
• People allergic to birch pollen should avoid it.
• Its seeds provide immunostimulatory effects in the patients of immunosuppression therapy with tissue transplants.
• It lowers blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
• Jackfruit should not be used two weeks before scheduled surgery because it might cause too much drowsiness.
• People taking blood medications such as aspirin or blood thinners should avoid it.
• Excessive consumption of Jackfruit results in abnormal stool conditions as well as an upset stomach due to the high content of fiber.

How to Eat         

• Fruits are consumed raw.
• The seeds and pulp of young fruit are cooked as vegetables.
• The grounded seeds are used for making biscuits.
• The seeds are boiled, roasted, or baked.
• It is cooked with coconut milk in the Philippines.
• Unripe jackfruit slices are used to make chips by deep-frying in Southern India.
• Jackfruit is used to make added and appa in Udipi cuisine.
• It is added to soups, fried and baked dishes.
• It is also preserved in syrup. Mix the slices of Jackfruit with honey, grated coconut, and banana slices to make a dessert.
• The fruit could be used for preparing chutney, jelly, and jam.
• The slices of fruit could be added to fruit salads.
• It is used to make fruit rolls, candies, ice cream, and marmalades.

Other Facts

• The fruit can measure from 3 kg to 36 kg.
• Wood is used to make furniture, musical instruments, and house construction.
• Each tree could produce from 100 to 200 fruits per year.
• Jackfruit is composed of about 80% water.
• It possesses the flavor of a mixture of banana, mango, papaya, and melon.
• A jackfruit possesses 100 to 500 seeds.
• The root extracts are used traditionally to treat asthma, fever?, and diarrhea?.

References