This tropical fruit is full of nutrition and tastes delicious in all kinds of jackfruit recipes.

Here are the basics you should know.

Omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans will all enjoy this unique and versatile fruit.

Several whole Jackfruits on a red-orange wooden surface

Credit: Getty Images

Until the past few years, jackfruit was not on our American radar.

What Is Jackfruit?

Native to Southeast Asia, jackfruit is said to be the largesttree fruitin the world.

Ripe jackfruit (Artocarpus Heterophyllus) cut open on white background

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A single jackfruit can weigh up to 100 pounds.

A fresh one is oval-shaped and relatively large with a bright green and dully-spiked exterior.

Jackfruit is surprisingly versatile because it’s edible at its varyingripeness levels, yielding different textures and flavors.

Package jackfruit original flavor

In other words, it doesn’t have to be perfectly “ripe” to use.

What Does Jackfruit Taste Like?

Young, less ripe jackfruit is very mild in flavor.

Can of organic young jackfruit on white surface

Savory jackfruit recipes likethese slidersare a good use for young jackfruit.

As jackfruit ripens, the flesh softens, darkens, and sweetens.

Its flavor turns more tropicallike a cross betweenpineapple and bananaor pineapple and mango.

How to Prep Jackfruit

It is fairly time-consuming to prep jackfruit from a whole fruit.

Each jackfruit is large and needs to be coredand the core is quite sticky.

Simply season it however you’d like and then cook it.

The white strands are technically edible but not very tasty, so we recommend discarding them.

Is Jackfruit Good for You?

The giant tropical fruit is quite nutritious.

It is a good source of vitamins A, C, and a few of the B vitamins.

You’ll also get a healthy serving of fiber.

it’s possible for you to buy it fresh in the produce section, typically alongside othertropical fruits.

Select one with a strong fragrance.