Monday, January 14, 2008
Botanically, it is called Artocarpus heterophylla. It is an attractive tropical tree valued for its immense fruits and its timber. It grows 60 ft high & bears variable shaped evergreen leaves. The Jack-fruit, a member of the mulberry family (Moraceae), is native to eastern India & is extensively grown in tropical Asia. It has also been widely introduced into the American tropics.
Its fruit resembles bread-fruit but are of inferior quality. It is a staple food of tropical Asia. Jack-fruits are 12 to 20 inches long and 8 to 10 inches thick & commonly weigh 18 kg or more. The pulp of the ripe fruit is eaten raw. Green fruits, are very nutritious vegetable which is called inchar & is usually eaten in soups & stews. The ripe fruit is not very good for health as it may cause diarrhoea & even cholera. The ripe fruit is very dangerous & should not be taken more than 3 to 4 bulbs at a time during summer months. Its wood is valued for cabinet work.
Benefit & uses of Jack-fruit.
* The jackfruit root is a remedy for skin diseases & asthma. An extract of the root is taken in the cases of fever & diarrhea.
* Jackfruit provids a good supply of proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins. Delicacies can be prepared from every part of the fruit.
* Contains 38% carbohydrates, 6.6% proteins & 0.4 g fats, vitamin A, C & certain B vitamins, & minerals like calcium, zinc, & phosphorous.
* Their health benefits are wide-ranging from anti-cancer.
