Learn how we cut jackfruit here at Jessie’s Tropical Fruit Farm in Naples, Florida, how to tell when jackfruit is sweet and ready to eat, when it is better used as a savory meat substitute, and what you can do with the seeds.
Jackfruit is one of the most fascinating tropical fruits we grow at Jessie’s Tropical Fruit Farm.
It is enormous, versatile, and surprisingly different depending on when you harvest it.
A ripe jackfruit can be incredibly sweet, juicy, and tropical. A freshly harvested jackfruit, on the other hand, has a completely different purpose. Its firm, mild flesh can be cooked and seasoned as a plant-based substitute for pulled pork and other savory dishes.
And don’t throw away those seeds. They are edible too.
In our latest farm video, we show you exactly how we cut a jackfruit and how we determine whether it is ready to enjoy as a sweet fruit or better suited for savory cooking.
Watch the video here:
How to Cut Jackfruit & Tell When It’s Ripe Sweet vs Savory
How Do You Know When a Jackfruit Is Ripe?
One of the most important things to understand about jackfruit is that you don’t want to judge it by size alone.
There are several clues that can help you determine whether a jackfruit is approaching ripeness.
1. Look at the color
As jackfruit matures, the outside can change from a greener appearance toward a more yellowish or brownish-green color, depending on the variety.
However, color alone isn’t enough to determine whether the fruit is ready to eat.
2. Check the texture of the skin
A mature jackfruit will generally have a little more give when you press gently on the outside.
An immature fruit tends to feel very firm.
3. Smell the fruit
This is one of my favorite ways to tell when a jackfruit is getting close.
A ripe jackfruit develops a distinctive sweet, tropical aroma. Once you know that smell, it becomes much easier to recognize a fruit that is ready to eat.
4. Listen to the fruit
Some experienced jackfruit growers also use the sound of the fruit when gently tapping it as another clue.
A mature fruit tends to have a deeper, more hollow sound than a very immature fruit.
5. Consider when it was harvested
Jackfruit can continue to ripen after harvest, but the exact ripening behavior can vary by variety and growing conditions.
That’s why learning the combination of smell, feel, appearance, and experience is much more useful than relying on a single test.
Ripe Jackfruit: A Sweet Tropical Treat
When jackfruit is fully ripe, the pods inside become soft, fragrant, and sweet.
This is when you can eat the individual golden-yellow fruit pods fresh.
The flavor can remind people of a combination of tropical fruit flavors, including apple pineapple mango and banana and the texture is unlike many other fruits it is soft and meaty.
This is the jackfruit most people think of when they hear the words “sweet jackfruit.”
But there is another side to this amazing fruit.
Freshly Harvested Jackfruit: A Savory Meat Substitute
If jackfruit is processed when it is freshly harvested, the texture and flavor are completely different.
Instead of being sweet and juicy, the flesh is relatively mild and firm.
Once cooked and seasoned, it can take on a shredded texture that works beautifully in savory recipes.
This is why you may see jackfruit used as a plant-based alternative for dishes such as:
- Pulled “pork” sandwiches
- Tacos
- BBQ jackfruit
- Sandwich fillings
- Curries
- Stir-fries
- Rice and grain bowls
- Savory wraps
The key is understanding that you’re working with two very different eating stages.
Ripe jackfruit = sweet fruit.
Freshly harvested jackfruit = savory cooking ingredient.
That distinction can save you from cutting open a jackfruit expecting dessert and discovering that you actually have the perfect ingredient for dinner.
Don’t Throw Away the Jackfruit Seeds
The seeds are edible too, and they are one of the most overlooked parts of the jackfruit.
Once you’ve removed the sweet pods, save the seeds.
They need to be cooked before eating.
Boiled Jackfruit Seeds
One simple preparation is to boil the seeds until tender.
Once cooked, the texture can be similar to a firm potato or chestnut.
You can eat them simply boiled or use them as an ingredient in other dishes.
Boiled and Roasted Jackfruit Seeds
Another option is to boil the seeds until tender and then roast them.
Roasting gives them a deeper flavor and a firmer texture.
They can make a delicious snack or be incorporated into savory recipes.
Jackfruit Seed Hummus
You can also get creative with cooked jackfruit seeds and turn them into a creamy, protein-rich dip similar in concept to hummus.
Start with thoroughly cooked jackfruit seeds and blend them with ingredients such as:
- Garlic
- Lemon or lime juice
- Tahini
- Olive oil
- Your favorite seasonings
- A little water as needed for texture
The result is a completely different way to use a part of the jackfruit that many people simply throw away.
One of Our Favorite Ways to Eat Ripe Jackfruit
If you have sweet, ripe jackfruit pods, here’s a simple treat we love.
Remove the seeds from the ripe jackfruit pods and fill the pods with your favorite yogurt.
Place them in the freezer.
When you’re ready to eat them, let them sit out for a minute or two.
The cold, creamy yogurt combined with the sweet tropical jackfruit creates what we jokingly call a tropical dreamsicle.
It’s a simple way to turn fresh jackfruit into a naturally sweet frozen treat without needing a complicated recipe.
You could also experiment with Greek yogurt, coconut yogurt, or other yogurt varieties depending on your preferences.
Want to See How We Cut Jackfruit?
Jackfruit can look intimidating the first time you see one.
They’re large, heavy, sticky, and filled with edible pods, seeds, and plenty of latex.
That’s why we decided to film the process here at Jessie’s Tropical Fruit Farm.
In our video, we walk you through how we cut our jackfruit, what we look for when determining ripeness, and how to recognize whether you’re working with a sweet ripe fruit or a freshly harvested jackfruit that’s better suited for savory cooking.
Watch the full video here:
How to Cut Jackfruit & Tell When It’s Ripe
Visit Jessie’s Tropical Fruit Farm
We grow and share a wide variety of tropical fruits here in Naples, Florida, and one of the things we love most is helping people learn how to actually use these unusual fruits.
If you’ve never prepared a jackfruit yourself, we’d love to introduce you to it.
Visit us at:
Jessie’s Tropical Fruit Farm
Naples, Florida
Learn more about our farm, tropical fruits, products, tours, and farm experiences at:
[lovetropicalfruit.com]
And don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more videos from the farm, including harvesting, growing, preparing, tasting, and learning about tropical fruit.
From our farm to your table, we’re helping you discover just how delicious tropical fruit can be.
English