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 Jackfruit
Jack Fruit, Yaca or Jaca
Aka the Tree of Bread
The jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus
is a species native to parts of South
and Southeast Asia. It is called Panasa
in Sanskrit, Katahal in Hindi, Pala
in Tamil and Chakka in Malayalam language.
It is well suited to tropical lowlands.
Its fruit is the largest tree borne
fruit in the world, seldom less than
25 cm (10 inches) in diameter. The
large varieties are found in areas
blessed with Monsoon rains. Even a
relatively thin tree, around 10 cm
(4 in) diameter, can bear large fruit.
The fruits can reach 36 kg (80 lbs)
in weight and up to 90 cm (36 in)
long and 50 cm (20 in) in diameter.
The jackfruit is something of an acquired
taste, but it is very popular in many
parts of the world. The sweet yellow
flesh around the seeds is about 3–5
mm thick and has a sweet taste. Some
have said its taste is somewhat reminiscent
of cantaloupe, while others compare
it with the taste of pineapple.
The Mexican variety of the Jackfruit tastes of fruit cocktail.
Flavours of pineapple, strawberry, and peach can be discerned in some varieties
of jack fruit. The Mexican variety bears smaller fruits than the S.E. Asia
type and the trees are likewise smaller. |
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