The jackfruitArtocarpus heterophyllus), also called jacque, , jackfruit or ti'jaque In La RΓ©union, belongs to the family of Moraceae — the same family as the fig tree and the mulberry tree. The tropical rainforests of Borneo is the home of this delicacy fruit also popularised by locals as 'nangka' fruit. , the tropical rainforests is where it has been cultivated for decades.
Today, it can be found throughout Southeast Asia — Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Bangladesh — as well as in Africa (Zanzibar, Uganda) and in South America and India. The tree is a colossal evergreen that can grow up to 20 meters tall, and it starts producing its fruits just 3 years after being planted. Personally, I had the chance to see them in their natural environment during trips back to my hometown Nangka Village— it's quite an impressive sight when you see these massive fruits hanging directly from the trunk.
The largest fruit in the world ?
The jackfruit holds the record for the largest fruit growing on a tree. Its weight varies from 15 to 30 kg — some specimens even exceed 35 kg — and it can measure up to a meter in length. To give an idea, it's roughly the size of a large travel bag.
A small clarification, because the question often arises: if we include fruits that grow on the ground, like the pumpkin, the jackfruit is technically no longer the largest. But among tree fruits, it is unbeatable.
Credits: Wikipedia
