Jackfruit trees are frequently encountered in Sri Lanka.Often bearing large fruit. Jackfruit can be eaten raw, used as faux meat, or can be in salads or desserts.

Climate change makes the future of our food uncertain. Animals raised for meat contribute to climate change, so reducing the number of animals raised could slow the change, but then there would be less meat to go around.

What will people eat?

Some think jackfruit is the answer.

If you’re unfamiliar with the fruit, you may not be for long. It’s not just jackfruit’s huge size, because the smallest weighs about 10 pounds, that makes it a candidate for filling the bellies of the world. The nutrients and calories in the fruit are significant.

Jackfruit and nutrition

Jackfruit is “high in protein, potassium and vitamin B. It also contains 37 percent of a day’s worth of vitamin C, 1 gram of fat, and 38 grams of carbs.

The nutrients in jackfruit can help prevent cancer, strengthen the immune system, aid in digestion, lower cholesterol, strengthen bones and more

Getting this nutritional powerhouse into the mouths of more people will take some work, but it’s very possible.

Jackfruit and growing conditions

Under the right conditions, jackfruit grows easily. It survives pests and diseases and high temperatures. It is drought-resistant. Once the tree is mature, it doesn’t need much care.

Jackfruit is ripe for saving the world, but is it something people want to eat?

Jackfruit’s versatility

Depending on the seasonings used, jackfruit can be used all sorts of faux meat. A quick search on Pinterest will turn up recipes for pulled pork, buffalo chicken dip, crab cakes, cheese steaks and more — all meatless. People are getting very creative with jackfruit.

It can be eaten raw, of course. When ripe, it’s been described to taste like a cross between a pineapple and mango, with hints of banana, peach or pear. The seeds from jackfruit are edible, too. They can even be roasted, dried and turned into flour.