Author Topic: How can you tell when jackfruit is ripe?  (Read 752 times)

johnb51

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How can you tell when jackfruit is ripe?
« on: May 08, 2021, 07:24:38 PM »
I found a jackfruit tree in a public park not too far away.  The tree is huge, and it's loaded with fruit, some quite large.  How can you tell a ripe jackfruit?  What is the normal SoFlo season for jackfruit?
John

bsbullie

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Re: How can you tell when jackfruit is ripe?
« Reply #1 on: May 08, 2021, 07:47:43 PM »
Characteristics depends on variety.   Color change, odor, give, spreading and dulling of spines are most common.

Season can be year round but for most part, yellows/golds tend to come in earlier, with reds ripening late summer into early fall.
- Rob

johnb51

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Re: How can you tell when jackfruit is ripe?
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2021, 09:10:44 AM »
Thanks, Rob.  Any other jackfruit grower have something to add?  Do you have jackfruit ripening on your trees?
« Last Edit: May 09, 2021, 09:13:18 AM by johnb51 »
John

bsbullie

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Re: How can you tell when jackfruit is ripe?
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2021, 09:29:37 AM »
Picture of the fruit might help but if planted in a public park, chances are just a random seedling.
- Rob

roblack

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Re: How can you tell when jackfruit is ripe?
« Reply #4 on: May 09, 2021, 10:23:55 AM »
Picture of the fruit might help but if planted in a public park, chances are just a random seedling.

What monstrosity of a bird dropped that seed in the park?

...don't jaks soften up a bit as they ripen, or is that usually after picking?

bsbullie

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Re: How can you tell when jackfruit is ripe?
« Reply #5 on: May 09, 2021, 10:29:38 AM »
Picture of the fruit might help but if planted in a public park, chances are just a random seedling.

What monstrosity of a bird dropped that seed in the park?

...don't jaks soften up a bit as they ripen, or is that usually after picking?

Could be bird, squirrel, raccoon or homo sapien.
- Rob

Finca La Isla

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Re: How can you tell when jackfruit is ripe?
« Reply #6 on: May 09, 2021, 01:42:07 PM »
I agree with what Rob said.  It depends on the individual tree.  Easiest for us is when we pick by smell but that won’t work for some jaks. You can need patience.  The fruits can appear ready but aren’t.
Peter

johnb51

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Re: How can you tell when jackfruit is ripe?
« Reply #7 on: May 09, 2021, 02:56:24 PM »
This park is meant to be an arboretum so all the trees were planted intentionally.  It has a fruit tree section, where the jackfruit if located.  I would have to guess that it's a named variety that came from a nursery around thirty years ago.
John

cassowary

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Re: How can you tell when jackfruit is ripe?
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2021, 07:50:29 PM »
I agree with what Rob said.  It depends on the individual tree.  Easiest for us is when we pick by smell but that won’t work for some jaks. You can need patience.  The fruits can appear ready but aren’t.
Peter

I can testify that going by smell is the best if in reach.
When we pick fruit that is high up we try to make sure that the leafs on the flower stalk have dropped or are yellow, that is a decent indicator for some tree's. You can also tap the fruit (hands or stick) and feel how hard it is, crunchy (hard) and soft verieties will have different feel to them when they are mature so here you gotta know if the fruit is of hard or soft character when mature. If the fruit is very hard it's usually to early to pick, unless you want to cook it.
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