If you haven’t tasted it yet, you might ask, what does jackfruit taste like? or does it taste as bad as it smells? Here’s what to expect from a jackfruit, if you are not familiar with it.
Jackfruit is a fruit commonly found in Asia but also grows in other tropical territories worldwide. It’s big, it has bumps, and it goes from green to yellow on the outside. A jackfruit growing on a tree is hard to ignore. After all, it’s the biggest fruit you can find!
It’s in the same group as figs, breadfruits, and mulberries. These fruits are categorized as part of the Moraceae family, which are known for their fleshy fruits with seeds. But the taste of jackfruit is far from that of fig and mulberry. The taste of jackfruit is unique, in the sense that it combines the flavor of three or more fruits belonging to other plant groups.
What does jackfruit taste like?
The flavor of jackfruit will not always be the same. When unripe, it tastes neutral but when ripe, jackfruit produces a sweet edge almost similar to that of both mangoes and bananas. The taste of jackfruit is complex so you cannot compare it to a single fruit. It can be a combination of two or more fruits. Sometimes, it also has the pear flavor in it.
Many people compare the taste of jackfruit to pulled pork. While the texture of pulled pork and jackfruit are almost similar when cooked, you can still tell the difference between the two. Jackfruit is also more tender than pulled pork, so it can pull apart in just a few minutes of cooking.
What does jackfruit smell like?
People say it smells just like the yellow Juicy Fruit gum. It’s very tropical, so think of pineapple, banana, and mango packed in one. But did you know it can produce a slightly pungent odor when past its maturity? If you’re not the type who judges food based on its odor then jackfruit is worth the try!
What does jackfruit smell like when cooked? When cooked, you can hardly tell it’s jackfruit because it no longer smells bad and it gets the smell of whatever seasoning you put in it. If you cook it in a barbecue-style, you will get a whiff of barbecue meat so it’s a guilt-free way to treat yourself.
The longer you cook it, the more it gets the flavor of any seasoning you use for cooking. But if you want to keep your recipe healthier, consider making your sauce than simply using store-bought sauces.
Jackfruit Benefits
The nutritional benefits of jackfruit can be as big as their size. It aids in digestion and it boosts energy. If you want to maintain a healthy thyroid and boost your immune system, consider adding jackfruits in your diet. That is if you’re lucky enough to find it in nearby groceries. It’s hard to buy it fresh especially if it’s not in season. The best ones you can find are canned jackfruits sold in specialty food stores.
A serving of jackfruit provides up to 35-percent Vitamin B6. It’s among the fruits with the highest amounts of Vitamin B6. This B-vitamin is an essential brain vitamin that also benefits the nervous system.
It’s also loaded with potassium, Vitamins A and C, as well as calcium. If you need to boost your fiber, you can eat some jackfruit, too, because it contains as much as six percent of fiber per serving.
As long as you’re not allergic to birch pollen then jackfruit will be good for you. Otherwise, consider consulting your doctor if allergy symptoms show after you consumed jackfruit.
How to Eat Jackfruit
Jackfruit can be served or cooked. Raw jackfruit is best consumed when it’s ripe so you’ll get that sweet and desirable bite. You can eat both the flesh and its seeds. The seeds of jackfruits are as nutritious as the flesh and they can be used for other recipes separately. It’s a healthy source of carbohydrates and protein.
Before slicing them, it would help if you put a small amount of oil on your knife. This is to keep the sap from sticking to your knife. You may also want to put a bit of oil on your hands before slicing so the sap will not stick on your hands, too.
If you’re wondering how to eat jackfruit as a replacement to meat, consider checking for vegan pulled pork recipes. One of the best ways to eat vegan pulled jackfruits is by stuffing it into bread. Or if you got a sweet tooth, use it for making dessert. In many Asian countries, it’s a common ingredient to “turon” or bananas wrapped in an eggroll wrapper. It’s dusted with brown sugar before frying.
You can also use jackfruit for making your DIY jam. To make your jackfruit preserve, you will need to boil it with water. Once the liquid evaporates in half, you can already add in one and a half cups of sugar. With low heat, keep stirring the mixture before finally adding lime and a pinch of salt.
Conclusion
Jackfruit is known for its unique flavor. Its complexity makes it one of the most interesting fruits out there. Despite its unusual odor, jackfruit can be a delicious treat if you’re looking for something to replace meat since it’s a lot like pork when cooked.
There are many jackfruit benefits as it contains several vitamins and minerals needed for the body functions. It helps maintain normal blood pressure, it helps in good vision, and it works for proper glucose metabolism among others.
Some people are hesitant to try jackfruit because of its nauseating odor, but if you’re a foodie who wouldn’t mind tasting something just to know what it tastes like, you shouldn’t miss tasting jackfruit. Just a reminder, though, it will not be easily accessible if you’re not in a tropical country where it’s normally grown. This fruit is being imported to Western countries year-round but abundantly in summer when it’s in season.
Check out my Korean Beef bibimbap and Beef Ravioli recipe.
