Have you ever been to the tropical regions of the Pacific Islands or Southeast Asia? If you have, you will notice that they enjoy a particular jackfruit-like treat there.
Yes, we are talking about breadfruit. And have you ever tasted it? Don't worry.
We'll get to it shortly. Breadfruit fruit is a staple food in many tropical cuisines.
At first glance, it looks like a jackfruit, but they are different fruits.
However, they come from the same plant family.
People also enjoy them baked or roasted.
Plus, we can process breadfruit into other food like flour or wine.
Even the seeds are edible when cooked.
But what does breadfruit taste like? This is a question we get asked often.
We will answer it below. Keep reading.
What is Breadfruit?
As the name suggests, breadfruit is mainly found in tropical regions.
They come from the plant family Moraceae.
Other fruits in this family include jackfruit, fig, mulberry, etc.
Breadfruit shares a close bond with breadnuts, another tropical fruit of New Guinea.
The Colonial Era contributed to its spread in the tropical islands and Oceania.
You can distinguish breadfruit from its skin, spiky like a jackfruit, with a blend of green and yellow.
Most varieties can grow up to 12-14 inches in diameter and weigh 10-12 pounds.
The trees can grow up to 27 meters and yield around 200 fruits per season.
Breadfruit grows best in tropical climates.
You will rarely find breadfruit trees in the US.
But you will see some growing in moderate numbers in some Caribbean towns and cities.
Besides serving as a staple food, breadfruit has other uses as well.
The timber from breadfruit trees is helpful in constructing houses, making boats and ships, etc.
The trees also produce natural latex, which we can use for several purposes, like sealing joints.
Breadfruit also has medicinal and culinary purposes, which we will get into later.
What Does Breadfruit Taste Like?
Raw breadfruit has a green outer layer with tiny spikes like its counterpart, the jackfruit.
Cutting it open will reveal a white, starchy flesh.
At this stage, breadfruit has a meaty texture and tastes like an artichoke when cooked.
But the best stage to taste it is when it ripens.
Once matured, breadfruit changes color to pale yellow.
The texture also softens considerably, which makes chewing less stressful.
Ripe breadfruit also smells sweet but does not taste as sweet.
This is because the starch has yet to turn into sugar.
If you cook and eat ripe breadfruit, it tastes like a potato; mild and starchy but pleasing to the tastebuds.
The tropical population also prefers ripe breadfruit over raw and hard breadfruit.
The texture and taste are similar to soft bread, and there are no overpowering flavors.
But if you don't want to spend time cooking and prefer eating it directly, let it overripe.
All the starch turns into sugar at this stage, making it more sticky.
The flavors also become much sweeter.
It also has a more spongy texture and tastes like sweet bread pudding or custard.
You can also tear the outer skin easily because it will soften considerably.
Some people compare breadfruit with jackfruits because they look similar.
However, they vary in size, smell, and taste as well.
Keep in mind that there are several breadfruit varieties.
And all of them differ slightly in texture, flavor, and nutritional value.
This could be why people have a different approaches; you either love it or dislike breadfruit.
How to Cook and Serve Breadfruit?
The traditional way to serve and eat breadfruit is to cook it after it ripens.
At this stage, it tastes like bread straight out of the oven or boiled potatoes.
Plus, you do not want to eat it directly like a jackfruit unless you let it overripe.
Raw and ripe breadfruit tastes best when cooked.
But there are several other ways to cook this tropical delicacy.
Let us look at a few of them.
- You can bake or steam it for a smoky flavor. If you feel rustic, toss it in the coal and roast it.
- Breadfruit can also be pickled or candied and enjoyed as sides with other dishes.
- They also go great with salads or soups, adding a unique flavor.
- Mashed breadfruit is another excellent option if you are tired of mashed potatoes. You can enjoy them by themselves or use them as batter for cakes and pies.
- Some tropical cuisines also use them in curries or have them alongside fish and other seafood.
- You can obtain breadfruit flour by dehydrating and grinding it. The result is a gluten-free flour useful for many purposes.
- Slice breadfruit into sticks like French fries and fry them. They taste great, if not better than regular fries.
Conclusion
Breadfruit is a treat you won't find everywhere.
If you visit the tropical islands, make sure to get your hands on one.
And when you do, enjoy it as the locals do.
Cooking it is your best bet if you want to taste the distinct flavors.
But if you want to taste the natural goodness, you can let it decay for some time.
And if you are lucky enough to find accommodation in the tropics, you will have access to plenty of breadfruits.
Try different recipes to enhance its taste even more.
It tastes nothing unique or overpowering.
