Fruit, vegetable or meat, jackfruit is truly the “jack of all foods” (quote). Packed with nutrients, a pleasant texture and versatile flavor, this staple of Asian cuisine is growing in popularity across the world. In this article, I will discuss jackfruit; where it originated, the practices of its cultivation, its appearance and the many uses of the fruit and tree. Jackfruit native to southwest India; grows mainly in the tropical forests of the Western Ghats mountains. Although there is no specific evidence as to when jackfruit was first discovered, a quote from the Greek philosopher Theophrastus. "There is also another tree which is very large and produces large, wonderfully sweet fruits; it is used as food by the wise men of India who wear no clothes." (quote here) Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay. This quote from around 300 BCE is believed to be about jackfruit. The fruit has spread to other parts of India, Southeast Asia, the East Indies, Africa and the Fertile Crescent. In recent years, due to its growing popularity, it has been introduced to Brazil, Australia, Hawaii and Florida. Jackfruit or "poor man's fruit" is mentioned in many ancient Hindu texts, including the tales Charaka Samhita, Susruta Samhita and Jataka. It is also commonly offered with other fruits to Hindu deities as a symbol of self-sacrifice. Easy to grow and drought tolerant once ripened, jackfruit has become a staple crop for farmers in Southeast Asia. Reaching up to 80 feet in height, the tree thrives in humid tropical climates and covers nearly 14,826 acres in India. Related to the breadfruit, mulberry and fig families, the tree has large, glossy leaves and is planted to provide shade. The jackfruit harvest season extends from early May to late October depending on its cultivar and origin. During growth, an ooze of sticky latex escapes from the fruit, but as it ripens the amount dissipates. A few days before harvest, small cuts will also be made at the base of the fruit to continue draining. “When the fruit is ripe, it makes a dull, hollow sound when tapped.” (quote here). Once a hollow sound is achieved, farmers then use clippers, pruners or a sickle to steam cut the fruit. It then takes about 3 to 10 days for the fruit to fully ripen. Growing up to 100 pounds and 3 feet long, jackfruit is the largest fruit borne by trees. While the average fruit weighs only 10 to 15 pounds and is a foot long, there are more than 60 different varieties, all varying in size and taste. This large fruit has a hard green or yellow rind covered with hundreds of cone-shaped thorns. The interior is described as consisting of "large 'bulbs' (fully developed perianths) of yellow, banana-flavored flesh, massed among narrow ribbons of thin, hard undeveloped perianths (or perigones), and a central core and concise. (quote here). Seeds are also present inside the fruit, which are perfectly edible and have a flavor similar to chestnuts. As for the bulbs, they represent 25 to 40% of the weight of the fruit and should have main tastes and texture, both ripe and unripe. When the bulbs are not fully ripe, they have a neutral flavor like that of a potato and take on the flavor and seasonings with which they.