The jackfruit (pictured) is the biggest tree-borne fruit in the world and grows in south and southeast Asia.
An exotic fruit that tastes like pork and gives off a putrid smell could save millions from starvation.
The 'miracle crop', known as a jackfruit, is the biggest tree-borne fruit in the world and grows in south and southeast Asia.
A
single fruit, which can weigh between 4.5 and 45 kilograms (10-100lbs),
houses hundreds of seeds that are rich in nutritious calcium, protein,
iron and potassium.
One fruit can be enough to feed a family for an entire meal.
Researchers suggest the crop could replace wheat and corn which are threatened by climate change.
Now,
a pair of graduates based in Birmingham are attempting to break the
food market with the jackfruit - by selling it as a healthy pork
alternative.
Jack Fruit. A
single fruit, which can weigh between 4.5 and 45 kilograms (10-100lbs),
houses hundreds of seeds that are rich in nutritious calcium, protein,
iron and potassium.
A pair of
British graduates based in Birmingham are attempting to break the UK
food market with the strange fruit - by selling it as a healthy pork
alternative. Pictured are burgers created using one of their 'Project
Jackfruit' meat alternatives
Project Jackfruit was started by 23-year-old entrepreneurs
Jordan Grayson (left) and Abi Robertson (right)
'Project
Jackfruit' was started by 23-year-old entrepreneurs Jordan Grayson and
Abi Robertson, who were looking for a substitute for meat in their
meals.
The pair sell pre-prepared portions of jackfruit sourced from India, with flavours including barbecue, satay and Caribbean jerk.
The
crop is exceptionally popular in Bangladesh and other south and
southeast Asian nations, but Mr Grayson and Ms Robertson admit it may
take the public some getting used to.
'Some
people seem very nervous about it but once they've been tempted and
tried it they can't believe it,' Ms Robertson told.
'It's way better for you than meat - plus it's one of your five a day. I think we'd consider it the "forgotten fruit".'
A
crowdfunding campaign made over £7,000 ($9,230) for the project in
October 2017, allowing the pair to begin manufacturing their product in
India.
Project
Jackfruit sells 300-gram (0.6-lb) pouches of their Jackfruit mixes for
£5 ($6.90), which it says divide into four portions.
WHAT IS A JACKFRUIT AND HOW MIGHT IT SOLVE WORLD HUNGER?
A single
fruit, which can weigh between 4.5 and 45 kilograms (10-100lbs), houses
hundreds of seeds (pictured) that are rich in nutritious calcium,
protein, iron and potassium. Experts suggest just 1kg (0.2 lb) of the
fruit has approximately 95 calories
The jackfruit is the biggest tree-borne fruit in the world and grows in south and southeast Asia.
It
has been pitched as a potential big player in the solution to world
hunger as it could replace wheat and corn, which are threatened by
climate change.
Each Vitamin C-rich fruit yields hundreds of small, yellow, fruit lobes that contain a nutritious seed.
These
seeds house an abundance of protein, potassium, calcium and iron, and
experts suggest just 1kg (0.2 lb) of the fruit has approximately 95
calories.
But
while used extensively in Vietnam, Bangladesh, and other countries
where it grows, 75 per cent of the fruit grown in India goes to waste.
The
jackfruit has a reputation as a 'poor man's fruit' in India, meaning
many leave the fruit to rot as it ripens instead of preserving it for
food and other resources.
Several
organisations are now working to change the country's perception of the
crop, which experts say could make farmers £110 ($150) per tree because
of the many products you can make with its bark and fruit.
These include natural oils, latex, food for livestock, and more.
They plan to begin distributing the meat-alternative to UK retailers soon.
Currently,
few UK retailers stock the fruit thanks to shipping costs and its poor
shelf life, with those that do selling tinned jackfruit for around £8.30
per kilo ($6 per lb).
In the US, the
fruit is significantly cheaper, selling at Asian markets across the
country for around £3.50 per kilo ($2.50 per lb).
The jackfruit has been pitched as a potential big player in the solution to world hunger.
Entrepreneurs
Jordan Grayson and Abi Robertson, both 22, sell pre-prepared portions
of jackfruit, with flavours including barbecue, satay, jerk and sweet
and sour. Pictured are fajitas (left) and a curry (right) made using
products from 'Project Jackfruit'
Each Vitamin C-rich fruit yields hundreds of small, yellow lobes that contain a nutritious seed.
These
seeds house an abundance of protein, potassium, calcium and iron, and
experts suggest just one kilo (0.2 lb) of the fruit has approximately 95
calories.
'It's a miracle. It can
provide so many nutrients and calories – everything,' Dr Shyamala Reddy,
a biotechnology researcher at the University of Agriculture Sciences in
Bangalore, India, told the
Guardian.
But
while used extensively in Vietnam, Bangladesh, and other countries
where it grows, 75 per cent of the fruit grown in India goes to waste.
While the
jackfruit is used extensively in Vietnam, Bangladesh, and other
countries where it grows, experts say that 75 per cent of the fruit
grown in India goes to waste
The
jackfruit has a reputation as a 'poor man's fruit' in India, meaning
many leave the fruit to rot as it ripens instead of preserving it for
food and other resources
The
jackfruit has a reputation as a 'poor man's fruit' in India, meaning
many leave the crop to rot as it ripens instead of preserving it for
food and other resources.
Several
Indian organisations are now working to change the country's perception
of the crop, which some experts argue could make farmers £110 ($150) per
tree because of the many products you can make with its bark and fruit.
These include natural oils, latex, food for livestock, and more.
'Jackfruit
is considered a "miracle crop" as it grows naturally in such a huge
abundance, has high yield and even survives in droughts,' Mr Grayson and
Ms Robertson write on their
website.
When ripe
the jackfruit (file photo) tastes like mango and has a unique texture,
but Project Jackfruit sells the food before it's ripe, giving it a
texture 'like pulled pork'. In future Ms Robertson and Mr Grayson hope
to break the British food market 'and beyond'
'We couldn't understand why jackfruit wasn't readily available considering how much of it is wasted.
'It is a paradox Asia wastes so much of the fruit, as so many suffer from lack of proper nutrition and income.'
When
ripe the crop tastes like mango and has a unique texture, but Project
Jackfruit sells the food before it's ripe, giving it a texture 'like
pulled pork'.
'It's literally texture
and then it's all about how you cook it, the spice mix and the sauce
make it taste great,' Ms Robertson told.
Several
organisations are now working to change India's perception of the fruit,
which some experts argue could make farmers £110 ($150) per tree
because of the many products you can make with its bark and fruit
They
may have a while to go before it replaces pork on British plates:
Project Jackfruit's pouches come in at over £15 per kilo ($7 per lb),
while pork is sold at around £3.50 per kilo ($1.60 per lb) in most UK
supermarkets.
Despite this hurdle, the
pair hope to break the British market with the exotic product to help
ease the strain of climate change and overpopulation.
'The meat and dairy industries are just too much of a toll on the planet,' Ms Robertson told
MailOnline.
'This
is the time to look for alternatives and this is a great way of
utilising what is one of the most wasted fruits in the world.
'We're ambitious about making jackfruit mainstream in the UK and beyond.'
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