Jackfruit trees have been growing along the streets of India for a century, but only recently has the giant 10- to 20-pound fruit captured the attention of food companies and consumers.
Jackfruit trees are native to the tropical climates of South Asia, including the Philippines, Malaysia and China along with India, but have now been exported and grown in Australia, Hawaii and Brazil. Jackfruit are the largest treeborn fruit in the world, sometimes reaching up to 100 pounds.
While the ripe fruit is sweet and yellow, like a cross between a banana and pineapple, the unripe fruit has become a draw for food companies — especially plant-based manufacturers. An unripe jackfruit has a mild sweetness but most importantly it is fibrous and chewy, similar to the texture of shredded meat. It is also high in protein, potassium, fiber and vitamins A and C.
Veganism, vegetarianism and flexitarianism continue to grow in popularity, as do meat alternative products. Jackfruit is riding this wave. The backlash against ultra-processed vegan foods is also giving jackfruit a leg up. Unlike the many mainstream, packaged, plant-based products, consumers can buy whole canned jackfruit for recipes. Its shredded meat-like texture makes it a popular substitute for pulled pork on sandwiches, carnitas in tacos and chicken when smothered in BBQ sauce.
The Jackfruit Company raised a $5 million series B in October of this year to scale up its packaged BBQ, Tex-Mex and Tikka Masala jackfruit products. The company also partnered with Smashburger in January 2023 to offer a jackfruit patty in New York, New Jersey and Colorado locations. Karana, another jackfruit packaged food startup, offers a ground meat alternative as well as potstickers, burgers and breakfast sausage.
Jackfruit also offers some sustainability benefits. Not only does it serve as a low-impact alternative to meat, but the tree itself sequesters carbon and the root system can prevent soil erosion. Jackfruit is a perennial crop that can produce hundreds of fruits over its decades-long lifespan. Danielle Nierenberg, president of Food Tank, told The Guardian that the plant is easy to grow and resistant to pests, diseases, high temperatures and drought. The crop can also provide working opportunities for the global south. For example, The Jackfruit Company works with over 1,500 small-acre jackfruit farmers, providing more income opportunities and diversifying crop systems.