14632 522 261 522 0 405. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Jackfruit is making an increasing appearance on menus and social media, but if you don’t know jack about jackfruit pulled pork, here’s Good Housekeeping’s guide.
Jackfruit grows in parts of Asia and is the largest fruit that can be found on a tree. Although it can grow up to a whopping metre long, it’s usually around a sizeable 30cm in length. Within its uneven green skin lies a waxy yellow flesh, that falls apart into separate bulbs when cut. It occasionally has a savoury whiff, but this doesn’t affect the flavour.
This version is best cooked into a savoury recipe with plenty of spices and seasoning to pep it up. What kind of texture does jackfruit have? When fresh and ripe, the texture is a little like pineapple, but waxier and less juicy. How do I prepare a jackfruit?
In the UK, cutting up a fresh jackfruit is a problem you’re unlikely to encounter – it’s hard to find whole, unless you’ve got a specialist grocer in your area. You’re more likely to procure the unripe stuff already in chunks, in a can or vac pack, from the tinned fruit aisle. Sometimes you can find fresh ripe jackfruit pods too, in the chilled fruit section. However, if you do find yourself the owner of one of these huge beauties, prepare to get messy!