Scientific Name: Artocarpus heterophyllus
Bahasa Indonesian: Nangka
Batak: Pinasa
Basic Information:
The jackfruit is a species of tree in the fig, mulberry, and breadfruit family. Its original distribution range is unknown but most authors place its center of origin to be within the region between the Western Ghats of southern India to the rainforests of Borneo.
The jackfruit tree is well-suited to tropical lowlands, and its fruit is the largest tree-borne fruit, reaching as much as 55 kg (120 lb) in weight, 90 cm (35 in) in length, and 50 cm (20 in) in diameter. A mature jackfruit tree can produce about 100 to 200 fruits in a year. The jackfruit is a multiple fruit, composed of hundreds to thousands of individual flowers, and the fleshy petals are eaten.
Jackfruit is commonly used in South and Southeast Asian cuisines.The ripe and unripe fruit and seeds are consumed. The jackfruit tree is a widely cultivated throughout tropical regions of the world. It is the national fruit of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Ripe jackfruit is naturally sweet, with subtle flavoring.It can be used to make a variety of dishes, including custards, cakes, or mixed with shaved ice as es teler in Indonesia or halo-halo in the Philippines.
Health Benefits:
- Extracts from the roots of the jackfruit tree can be used to treat fever, asthma and diarrhea
- Jackfruit has a low glycemic index and provides some fiber, protein and antioxidants, all of which may promote better blood sugar control
- It contains a variety of antioxidants that may be helpful for preventing the development of several chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes
- A 2013 study investigated the wound-healing properties of jackfruit leaf extract on samples of pig skin. The researchers concluded that extracts from jackfruit leaves may promote wound healing
- Jackfruit is a good source of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that is essential for a healthy immune system.Also, the body requires vitamin C to make a protein called collagen, which is vital for maintaining healthy skin, bones, and connective tissues, such as blood vessels and cartilage.
- Jackfruit seeds also contain prebiotics, which can help support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut
Fun Facts:
- The seeds from ripe fruits are edible, and are said to have a milky, sweet taste often compared to Brazil nuts
- The jackfruit is recognized as the largest tree fruit in the world
- In a single year, the jackfruit tree can produce as many as two hundred fifty fruits
- The number of seeds that can be found in a jackfruit range from 100 to 500
- In Indonesia, the hardwood from the trunk of a jackfruit tree is carved out to form the barrels of drums used in the gamelan, and in the Philippines, its soft wood is made into the body of the kutijapi, a type of boat lute
- The wood is termite proof and is superior to building furniture
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackfruit
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/jackfruit-benefits#section8
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324787.php