jack fruit: how to know if it is ripe? latex, etc.

[huertasurbanas]

Hello, the organic store in my town got jack fruit! so I'm very excited ... but do not know if it is ripe or not, how could I  know it?

On the other hand, It released some latex and it is very very sticky: what is the best way to clean the latex of your hands? alcohol? Fruit should be opened wearing gloves? is it the latex too toxic ?









It weighs 15 lbs (6.7 kilos)

[NathanC]

Jackfruit decrease in latex as they ripen. The best way of cleaning is to wear oiled gloves and a oiled knife. The latex is not toxic at all.

[bsbullie]

Jackfruit decrease in latex as they ripen. The best way of cleaning is to wear oiled gloves and a oiled knife. The latex is not toxic at all.

The latex does not necessarily decrease as it ripens.  Certain varieties naturally contain less latex.  Some have a lot of latex even when fully ripe.

[bsbullie]

The jackfruit will put of an aroma,, which is pleasant to some and some feel it stinks.  The fruit will also have give to it when you press/squeeze it.

you can use gloves if you want.  Use a knife you dont care about, just in case you cannot get all the latex off.  Once it is ripe, you could refrigerate it which can suppress the latex.  Otherwise,  spray the knife with pam and dig in and have fun...

[goosteen]

I made the mistake of buying a un ripened one, it sucks, they don't really get ripe and taste like chemicals.  Lots of pressure,  best to bring a pocket knife and try some in the store.

[dmk]

Usually it's by the smell. We cut it open as soon as it gives out a sweetish smell like that of some flower.

Gloves I think is better but we just use oil time to time on the hands and the knife.

It is tedious work depending on how big the fruit is.

Good luck. Enjoy the fruit.

[huertasurbanas]

Thanks folks... so, will it ripe outside the tree?

Now it smells good, like bananas or something like that

[BigIslandGrower]

Yes, it will ripen more off the tree. The smell makes it sound like eating time!

[bsbullie]

Yes, it will ripen more off the tree. The smell makes it sound like eating time!

Assuming it wasnt frozen, it can ripen but a lot depends on how mature it was when it was picked.

[sapote]

Back in the old days my father just used Kerosene to clean the latex from hands and knife.

Sapote

[savemejebus]

Am I the only one that reads about the work required to eat jackfruit and realizes that I am far too lazy for any of that?

[sapote]

Too lazy for jack, then hire a raccoon. Man, those guys love Jackfruits.

[BigIslandGrower]

Am I the only one that reads about the work required to eat jackfruit and realizes that I am far too lazy for any of that?

Try picking a big one out of a tall tree.  That's no picnic either.

[murahilin]

Am I the only one that reads about the work required to eat jackfruit and realizes that I am far too lazy for any of that?

Same here. I usually only eat the fruit when someone else cleans it. Tastes much better that way.

[bangkok]

Am I the only one that reads about the work required to eat jackfruit and realizes that I am far too lazy for any of that?

Come to Thailand, every market has a professional jackfruit peeler. Sometimes even more then one. Also you can buy it peeled and packed in about every street.

Not all vendors know how to get the best ones though. I have my favorit vendor and she only sells jackfruit when it's perfect ripe. Others will sell when not totally ripe and that's a big difference in taste and quality. From not fully ripe ones i get stomachache if i eat much of it.

But jacks are so great and sweet i would even peel them myself if i had to. Just wear disposable gloves, i don't see much latex anyway if they peel em fully ripe.

[naturelover]

Have cleaned using Pam non-stick spray on the knife, sprayed more than once in the process- it worked very well

[huertasurbanas]

Hi, I opened the fruit, it was not difficult at all... maybe this is a good cultivar. I would describe the taste like this:

www.seriouseats.com/2010/08/seriously-asian-jackfruit-exotic-fruits.html

" the flavor falls somewhere between a pineapple and a banana, with hints of mango; the texture, depending on the ripeness of the fruit, can be mildly chewy like a soft gummy bear or as juicy as a succulent scallop."

This was soft gummybear, so was it ripe, very ripe or unripe? some seeds were sprouted, so I think it was over ripe

The latex didnt bother at all, there was no more latex when opening it. Now I will get all the pulp and freeze some, will sow the seeds and maybe boil some of them to try.

[bsbullie]

Hi, I opened the fruit, it was not difficult at all... maybe this is a good cultivar. I would describe the taste like this:

www.seriouseats.com/2010/08/seriously-asian-jackfruit-exotic-fruits.html

" the flavor falls somewhere between a pineapple and a banana, with hints of mango; the texture, depending on the ripeness of the fruit, can be mildly chewy like a soft gummy bear or as juicy as a succulent scallop."

This was soft gummybear, so was it ripe, very ripe or unripe? some seeds were sprouted, so I think it was over ripe

The latex didnt bother at all, there was no more latex when opening it. Now I will get all the pulp and freeze some, will sow the seeds and maybe boil some of them to try.

Probably a "soft flesh" type.  When overripe they can have a slight fermented taste and then they will begin to rot.

Seeds are delicious boiled within stews, etc. and are also excellent made like boiled peanuts.

[huertasurbanas]

Ok, very nice flavour too, the fridge is full of nice perfume now , I will have to share the fruit with many friends!

Roasted seeds were very good too