History
Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) would have appeared in the rainforest of western India and Bangladesh, it has subsequently spread throughout tropical Asia and Africa with the Arabs. It arrived in the Caribbean and therefore in Martinique in 1782, but the musky scent of her ripe fruit is repugnant. He will not see the success of the breadfruit tree!
It is also known as the "fruit of the poor". Today the jackfruit is mainly grown in Southeast Asia, Brazil and Haiti.
Varieties
There are three varieties of jackfruit: the hard Jacque whose fruits remain firm at maturity, Jacque sosso the softer fleshed fruit and honey jackfruit very sweet juice.
Smaller than breadfruit, jackfruit is a tree with oval to elliptical and entire leaves with huge fruit weighing up to 50 kg. Jackfruit can arise both on branches or on the trunk.
The skin of the fruit, leathery, consists of protrusions to yellowish when ripe. Its yellow pulp or sweet flavor, firm or soft according to the varieties contains brown oval seeds.
Health benefits
Three times richer in dietary fiber than rice, it provides the body with the necessary elements to fight against constipation. It also helps fight against obesity and overweight.
The bark and leaves can accelerate wound healing.
Vinegar mixed with latex to increase the healing of abscesses, snakebite would care and reduce glandular swelling.
The root is considered a remedy for skin diseases and asthma attacks, it treats diarrhea and reduces feverish conditions.
The seeds have aphrodisiac qualities.
Uses
Jackfruit is eaten raw or cooked. It can be eaten grated or cut into pieces. It can get into the salad composition of fruit and ice cream. It is even possible to make puree or jam after cooking.
The brown seeds are boiled or roasted and eaten like chestnuts. They are sometimes mixed with traditional dishes. Raw, they are not edible.
The jackfruit glue namely the latex contained in all parts of the jackfruit was once used for its adhesive and trap bird properties.
The wood of jackfruit can be used in construction (building) or furniture construction.
Note that in Reunion, the jackfruit is cooked with smoked bacon to prepare the famous popular recipe Ti Jacque boucané (smoked jackfruit).
