Giant Jackfruit Wonder
Pardeep Singh
| 26-06-2025

· Cate team
Hey Lykkers! Have you ever seen a fruit bigger than a baby—or even bigger than a large dog? Sounds unbelievable, right? But that's exactly what the jackfruit is.
It's known as the biggest fruit in the world that grows on a tree, and yes, a single one can weigh over 50 kilograms!
Today, let's dive into this incredible tropical fruit, learn why it's so special, and find out what makes it more than just a giant snack.
Where Does Jackfruit Come From?
Jackfruit originally comes from South and Southeast Asia, especially countries like India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Malaysia. You'll find it growing on big, sturdy trees in warm, humid places. These trees don't just grow tall—they also grow wide, with strong branches that can support the weight of their enormous fruits.
Interestingly, jackfruits don't always grow from the branches like you might expect. Sometimes, they sprout directly from the tree's trunk. Imagine seeing a giant green fruit hanging from the side of a tree like a backpack—it's a wild sight!
How Big Can It Get?
Here's the jaw-dropping part: a single jackfruit can weigh up to 50 kg (that's about 110 pounds)! It can grow over 90 cm long and 50 cm wide. No other fruit that grows on a tree gets that big. It's like nature's version of a super-sized meal!
But not all jackfruits are that heavy—most are around 10 to 20 kg. Still, even at its smaller size, it's already bigger than almost every other fruit we usually see at the market.
What's Inside This Giant Fruit?
When we cut open a jackfruit, the inside looks like something out of a tropical dream. The fruit is filled with yellow, juicy pods that are sweet and slightly chewy. These are the edible parts. Each pod surrounds a large seed, which can also be cooked and eaten.
The taste? Think of a mix between banana, mango, and pineapple. Some people even say it tastes like bubble gum. It's sweet, fragrant, and very filling—just a few pods can satisfy your hunger.
Jackfruit: More Than Just a Fruit
Jackfruit isn't just for dessert or snacks. In many Asian countries, it's also used as a main dish—especially when it's still unripe. Young jackfruit has a meat-like texture, which makes it perfect for curries, stews, and stir-fries. It soaks up flavor really well and shreds like pulled meat. That's why a lot of people use it as a plant-based meat substitute in savory dishes.
Even the seeds are useful. We can boil or roast them, and they taste a bit like chestnuts. Nothing goes to waste when we eat jackfruit!
Super Nutritious and Full of Good Stuff
Not only is jackfruit huge, it's also packed with nutrients. It has a lot of vitamin C, which helps boost our immune system. It's also rich in fiber, which helps keep our digestion smooth. The natural sugars in jackfruit give us a quick energy boost—great for hot days when we're feeling tired.
It also contains potassium, magnesium, and small amounts of protein. So whether we eat it ripe or unripe, jackfruit gives our body a lot of what it needs.
Growing and Harvesting a Giant
Growing jackfruit takes patience. The trees take a few years to mature and start producing fruit, but once they do, they're incredibly generous. One tree can produce up to 100 jackfruits in a single year!
Because the fruits are so heavy, it takes skill and care to harvest them. Farmers usually support the fruit with nets or ropes before cutting it off, so it doesn't crash down and break open. Imagine dropping a 30-kg fruit from a height—that's not something you want hitting your foot!
Jackfruit Around the World
While jackfruit is most popular in Asia, it's now spreading around the world. You can find it in markets in the US, Europe, and Australia—usually in cans, frozen packs, or dried snacks. Some restaurants also serve jackfruit tacos, jackfruit curry, and even jackfruit burgers!
Its rise in popularity has a lot to do with people looking for natural, healthy alternatives in their meals. And let's be honest—part of the appeal is just how amazing this giant fruit looks and tastes.
The World's Biggest Tree Fruit
At the end of the day, jackfruit isn't just a big fruit—it's a symbol of abundance, nutrition, and creativity in cooking. Whether we enjoy it ripe and sweet, or young and savory, it gives us something to celebrate and share. Plus, its size makes it one of the most eye-catching fruits you'll ever see!
Would You Try One?
So Lykkers, now that we've explored the amazing jackfruit, we want to hear from you. Have you ever tasted it before? Would you want to try carrying a 50-kg fruit on your shoulder? Let's talk about it—we'd love to hear your jackfruit stories (or help you discover one)!