JACK FRUIT

Jackfruit is probably native to India. As it is usually grown from seed there is considerable variation between trees, particularly in the shape, size and quality of the fruits. The tree grows up to 20 meters tall. It is quick-growing and may bear fruit when about 3 years old. The fruit is a gigantic syncarp a compound fruit measuring 30-90 cm by 25-50 cm, and is the largest of all cultivated fruits. It is barrel or pear-shaped. The rind is pale to dark yellow and is completely covered with short sharp hexagonal fleshy spines. The flesh is golden yellow and waxy while the seeds are large (3x2 cm) with thick gelatinous brown covering. In between the seeds are soft fleshy fibers which are the unfertilized flowers. Ripe Jackfruit has a strong, rather Durian-like smell. It forms an important source of food-the edible flesh contains 23.4% carbohydrates while the seed has 38.4%. There is also a fair amount of protein in the seed (6.6%). The seed is eaten when cooked. There are very few varieties of Jackfruit in Malaysia. These may be grouped into two kinds-those with soft flesh around the seeds and those with firm flesh.