The fruit of the jaca or India is a mulberry plant, a close relative of the breadfruit. The jackfruit is the national fruit of Bangladesh. Pineapple fruits are the largest edible fruits that grow on trees: from 20 to 90 cm long and up to 20 cm in diameter, weigh up to 34 kg. Its thick skin is covered with numerous conical projections. Young fruits are green, when ripe they turn green-yellow or brown-yellow and produce a hollow sound when they are harvested (immature fruits are deaf). Inside, the fruit is divided into large lobes containing fragrant yellow sweet pulp, which consists of soft succulent fibers. In each lobe there is a fairly large oblong white seed 2-3 cm long.
The cut fruit has a pleasant peculiar smell, slightly reminiscent of a banana and pineapple. Along with the smell of exotic fruits, in the bouquet there is a tone of light artificiality, almost elusive, near the smell of acetone (if you ever tried very ripe bananas or melon, this shadow is also present there). The peel has a peculiar, slightly unpleasant odor, and contains sticky latex, therefore, it is recommended to lubricate your hands with sunflower oil or use rubber gloves before cutting the fruit. The overripe fruit turns brown and deteriorates rapidly, but it can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 months. India (Eastern Ghats) and Bangladesh are considered the birthplace of jack fruit; It is now more common in Southeast Asia and the Philippines. There is his landing in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda).
On the islands of Oceania and in the New World tropics, in addition to northern Brazil and Suriname, Jack's fruit is quite rare. They build large jackfruit wooden houses, in addition to producing furniture and musical instruments, since the wood is famous for its durability and its beautiful golden color. In the nineteenth century, the yellow dye, which was obtained from the shell and trunk of the jackfruit tree, was a very valuable commercial product. In Thailand, it was used to dye the silk, cotton and clothing of the monks. The latex, which is found in fruit and leaves, also has an excellent viscosity, it is also extracted from the trunk of the tree; It is made of very high quality glue.
The jaca skin should be greenish yellow and intact. It must be dense to the touch, but not solid. When the fruit ripens, the skin peels, becomes elastic and produces a subtle aroma. Too much smell suggests that the jackfruit is already too mature. To peel the fruit, cut it lengthwise and remove the sap. Also remove the core and press down the peel to separate the fruit pieces from each other. Cut the pulp with a knife and select the seeds. Jack's fruit can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 3-5 days, and in the freezer for up to two months
Product without fat, but sufficiently nutritious due to the high content of carbohydrates. In 100 g of raw fruit of 94 kcal, and in 100 g of preserves - 92 kcal. Eating this fruit in moderation will not lead to overweight.
Mature fruits contain 30 to 40% edible pulp, are very nutritious and contain approximately 40% carbohydrates (starch), more than in bread. Therefore (and because of its low price), the jaca in India is called "bread for the poor". The seeds are also nutritious: they contain 38% carbohydrates, 6.6% protein and 0.4% fat; Most often they are roasted and eaten like chestnuts.
The ripe fruits are eaten fresh, they make marmalade, jellies, sugar. Unripe fruits are used as vegetables, boiled, fried and stewed. The fruit of jaca has a meat low in calories, rich in vitamin A, sulfur, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. Fully ripe pulp slices can be frozen and stored in the refrigerator. Numerous seeds, and its fruit can be up to 300, fried and eaten like chestnuts. Blanched fruit flowers are added to hot peppers or shrimp sauce. Young leaves can be added raw to the papaya salad. Absolutely everything is used.
The shell can be sweetened or marinated, and is also suitable as animal feed. Fruit of Thailand - giant jackfruit The pulp of the jackfruit is excellent with ice cream and other fruits and sweets, especially the pulp in coconut milk in the form of a fruit salad. Jackfruit can make an unusual pie filling and even cut and bake fruits like vegetables. Jackfruit is ideal for all meat and fish dishes; Fruits can also be cut into cubes and decorated with spicy sandwiches, such as fish or chicken salads. Jackfruit Vinaigrette acquires a very tempting and delicious taste. To cook the meat garnish, Jack's fruit is enough to chop and cook on the grill for a few minutes. Jackfruit can be stuffed chicken. This will give the meat an exotic and tasty flavor. It is believed that the jaca tree brings good luck, because its Thai name means "support, help". Therefore, in many gardens near the houses the trees grow salty. It is believed that due to the copper-green color (and copper is considered a magical metal in Thai folklore), jackfruit possesses talisman properties that protect the host from bullet wounds and wounds with sharp objects. Jackfruit is also used for medical purposes.
The roots of the tree are used to treat diarrhea, and the flowers have antidiuretic properties. Young and immature fruits have astringent properties and are applied to the skin. The ripe fruit has a laxative property. It is believed that the cooked in the form of leaves of herbal tea based on jackfruit increases the amount of milk in nursing mothers.
Jackfruit can be harmful if you are hypersensitive and allergic to any of its components. In addition, people who are not used to this type of food, after having tasted the fruit of the peppers for the first time, can gain stomach upset.
