How to Pick a Sweet Jackfruit

I have said this before, but I’m going to say it again. Jackfruit should be a super fruit. It’s nutrient-dense and packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

In recent years, jackfruits have grown in popularity as a meat substitute. Unripen jackfruit tends to have a neutral flavor and can take on other flavors well. Coupled with their stringy texture, they have become the alternative pulled “meat.”

Unless you’re growing jackfruit in your yard, you’re probably picking one up from the store, which most likely has been imported. Farmers usually harvest the fruits while they are green but firm so they can withstand the import.

For me, jackfruit was a sweet summertime snack. It never occurred to me that not every fruit available at the markets is not sweet. I had to learn the hard way. A ripen jackfruit smells reminiscent of bubblegum, but tastes sweet with hints of pineapple, banana, and mango. It’s the quintessential tropical fruit.

Over the years I have learned that the sweetest jackfruits are not the prettiest or brightest green ones. They’re a bit dull and actually look like they’ve seen better days.

Here are the signs of a ripe (and potentially sweeter) jackfruit:

1. It’s fragrant and has a sweet smell.
2. Its’ color is more yellow than green. You may see some spots. But note that if it is brown it is probably overripened.
3. The skin gives slightly when pressed upon. An unripen fruit would not yield to pressure.
4. There may be appearances of cracks on the skin. The spikes will have dulled and look more scale-like.
5. Similar to watermelon, it will make a hollow thump if you tap on it.

Don’t forget to save the seeds! They are also edible. They can be roasted or boiled. They taste like chestnuts. Some parts of the world will use jackfruit seeds in curries or mash them like mashed potatoes.

Enjoy!