Botanical name; Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.
Local Names;
 |
| Jack fruit |
Local Names;
- Kos (Unripe), Wela/Waraka (Ripe); Sinhala
- Palappalam; Tamil
Recommended
Varieties
- Local Selections
Nutritional
Value (Per 100 g edible portion)
However,
this nutritional information may vary depending on variety, climatic conditions
and nutrients available for growth of rambutan etc.
Medicinal
Value/Uses
Jack
fruit is a rich source of potassium, iron and energy; useful in blood
disorders. Ripe fruit is a good source of carotene
Fruiting
Season in Sri Lanka: March – May and
November – January
Storage
The
seedy sections can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days and in the
deep-freezer for more than 2 months
Why
are they unique?
Jack
fruit is one of the largest fruits in the plant kingdom. It may weigh as much
as 60 kg, but normally around 7-15 kg. The plant bears fruit quite heavily from
the trunk and main branches. It can withstand drought quite well.
Many
Sri Lankan Jak fruit varieties have very sweet, thick pulp with a pleasant
aroma. The sweet fresh pulp can be eaten fresh as dessert, dried, or canned in
syrup.
Jak
fruit is growing in many parts of Sri Lanka. It is very rare to find a home
garden without a Jak tree in our country except in certain upcountry areas.
Predominately, it is grown mostly in Wet Zone and scattered in the Dry and
Intermediate Zones. As a fresh fruit, Jak fruit has a high demand in local
markets. Likewise, a considerable amount of foreign exchange could be earned by
exporting both fresh and processed Jak fruit products.
Potential
for Jak fruit processing industry
Jak
fruit is consumed as ripe fresh fruit as well as various processed products. The
following value added products are available;
- Unripe fruit: Polos Preserve
- Ripe fruit: Cordial, Fruit in syrup
- Seed: Dried, roasted, flour in confectionery
Reference
- Tropical fruits of Sri Lanka, Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka
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