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Dr Anand Kumar Singh 
It is believed that Jackfruit has originated in the rain forests of the Western Ghats of India. It is believed that in 1782, few plants from one of the French ship were taken to Sumatra, Malaysia and Jamaica. Later it was introduced into Northern Brazil and in 19th century. It became very popular all over the world. Today it is grown in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Burma, Caribbean Island of Indonesia, Northern Australia, ever green forest zone of West Africa, in parts of USA, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Japan and China.
A 'Moraceae family' member Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam, is known as Jackfruit, an age old plant. Jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world which can weigh from a more 3 KGs to 36 KGs. A full mature Jackfruit can have a length of 36 inches and width that extends to 20 inches.
There are two types of varieties are found – soft flesh and firm flesh.
The word “Jackfruit” comes from Portuguese Jaca, which is derived from the Malayalam Language term, Chakka, traditional medicines are plant derived medicines.
Jackfruit is commonly used as cuisine all over the world.
In Bangladesh, unripe fruit is used in curry. The seeds are often dried and preserved to be used later.
In Thailand and Vietnam, Jackfruit is used as canned sugary syrup.
In Indonesia, it is very popular as sweet dessert.
In Philippines, the unripe fruit is usually cooked in coconut milk and is eaten as and together with rice. The ripe fruit is used as dessert.
In Sri Lanka, Jackfruit is used to make wine and pickles.
In Africa, seeds of Jackfruit are grounded into a flower type meal and used mainly for bread and other balking purposes.
In Australia, Jackfruit is used to make patties and salad.
In Florida, Jackfruit is used in Ice Creams, Jams Jelly and to make sweet curry and fruit salad.
In India, Jackfruits are eaten in various forms such as :-
In West Bengal the fruits are either eaten alone or as a side to Rice, Roti or Chira. Sometimes the juice is extracted and either drunk straight or as a side with muri. Sometime the extracted is condensed an eaten as candies. Seeds are also used to make spicy side dish with Rice or Roti.
In Kerala, a sweet preparation called Chakavarattiyathu (Jackfruit Jam) is made by pieces from Jackfruit. Chips are also made from Jackfruit an eaten as snacks.
In Karnataka, the pulps of the Jackfruit is ground and made into paste, then spread over a mate and allow to dry in the sun to create a natural Chewing candy. Jackfruit is also makes to use Jackfruit Barfi.
In Maharashtra, Jackfruit seeds are use to make Daleecha Sambaraa and raw Jackfruit is used to prepare Phansasan Poli.
In Goa, Jackfruit is used to make curry and the ripe Jackfruit is widely used in Cake.
In Tamil Nadu, raw Jackfruit is used as a vegetable to make Stir-fries and curries.
There are some stranged facts about Jackfruit are: -
The Jackfruit is the largest of all trees – borne fruits.
Jackfruit is also known to grow from the underground roots in some rare cases.
In a single year, the Jackfruit tree can produce as many as 250 fruits.
In South India, the Jackfruit is a popular fruit ranked often Mangoes and Banana.
Jackfruit is the national fruit of Bangladesh.
General Health Benefits of Jackfruit:
The bulbs of Jackfruit contempt simple sugars (fructose and sucrose) in quantity of 19.8 gm per 100 gm of eatable Jackfruit bulbs and provides 95 calories. Thus when eaten, it replenishes energy and revitalized the body instantly.
Jackfruit rich in dietary fiber, which makes it good bulk laxative.
Jackfruit contents Vitamin 'A' which useful for maintaining integrity of mucosa and skin.
Jackfruit helps in fight wrinkles. Its consumption helps in getting a glowing complexion and flow less skin.
Jackfruit seeds are very beneficial in hair growth.
Jackfruit seeds promote healthy blood circulation and provide healthy digestion.
100 gm of Jackfruit contents 0.60 mg of iron thus if prevents and cures Anemia.
Other Medicinal Uses
Traditionally Jackfruit is used in treatment of ulcer, prevention of night blindness and bone loss. It possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antipyretic property. It is immunity booster and act as a remedy of snakes bite.
Jackfruit (Kathal, Catala, Baramil and Jaca) is an excellent plant due to its multifaceted medicinal properties like anti asthmatic activity, antiviral, anti arthritic, anti fungal and show wound healing if act. In addition Jackfruit also has good value with numerous culinary uses. The wood of tree is also used for making musical instruments and furniture. So we can conclude that Jackfruit is a health boon to the mankind.
(Dr. Anand K Singh, Former Principal - IHM, Bhopal)
(This story has been published under arrangement from Better Kitchen magazine)
