Jackfruit popular as a meat substitute in Brazil
219 views · Published 24 November 2018 · 6:35 · Indexed 5 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(19 Nov 2018) LEADIN: Acclaimed for its meat like texture, jackfruit is becoming increasingly popular as a meat substitute among vegans and vegetarians everywhere. In Brazil, where it is easily available in forests within urban areas, the trend is also growing. But some nutritionists say the fruit provides less protein than some people might think. STORYLINE: Every week, Marcelo Silva comes to the Pedra Branca forest in the city of Rio de Janeiro to harvest young jackfruits. They grow on tree trunks and branches. This is the world's largest tree borne fruit and can weight an average of 15 to 25 kilograms when ripe. But Marcelo - one of many independent producers who harvest jackfruit in the forests around the city - prefers the unripe younger jackfruits. These fruits will be sold to the vegan and vegetarian market as meat substitutes. After cutting them into pieces, Marcelo boils them for about one hour. "We cook it to remove the resin. Once it's gone, it acquires meat-like consistency," he says. Once peeled the jackfruit pieces are refrigerated and sold to individual customers as well as vegetarian restaurants. "You can cut it into halves, it becomes a beef steak. Here, it's a steak," says Marcelo while he packs jackfruit pieces. At the Vegan Butcher Shop in Ipanema, jackfruit is one of the most popular treats. This customer is trying it for the first time. She says: "Oh, it's delicious. I loved it, very good, delicious." Vivian Soares is the head cook at this growing vegan food chain. "This is our jackfruit meat. It's jackfruit ready for any recipe. And here is our jackfruit croquette, prize winning croquette, made with jackfruit meat," she says. Normally these very popular croquettes would be filled with chicken. The original name refers to its chicken drumstick shape. While it can resemble meat and carries many valuable nutrients, nutritionist Maria Angelica Fiut advises against relying on jackfruit alone for protein intake. "Because of its consistency it is used, because vegans often they are looking for nutrients but also they are after taste, they want something that resembles (meat)," she says. "It is very meaty and juicy so it is used for that end. However nutritionally speaking other sources of protein are necessary. Jackfruit will not provide enough." At Tijuca Forest National Park, within the city of Rio jackfruit trees are so abundant they are considered invasive. Brought from India and other southeast Asian areas, jackfruit reproduces dramatically and must be controlled, forest monitoring officials say. These rangers peel the trunks of young jackfruit trees in order to kill them and reduce their numbers. "This is an area where jackfruit trees dominate causing this valley to be shadowy. Native species cannot reproduce here due to the shade, they need light and the jackfruit tree produces this shade which prevents their reproduction," says Carlos Alberto Pereira who coordinates the monitors teams in Tijuca Forest. Chef Tati Lund of the .Org vegetarian restaurant, is one of Rio's most innovative jackfruit enthusiasts. She prepares a variety of different dishes, many of which she has learnt during her travels around Brazil and elsewhere. She used to harvest jackfruit from the forests but now she prefers to buy it, avoiding contact with its sticky resin that can stain. "These days, we buy jackfruit meat already in pieces." She takes it apart with her fingers showing how it can resemble shredded chicken, pulled pork or other meats. "It actually can acquire whatever taste I want," says Tati. ==== Clients are reminded: Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/12a3a4cb2329b9e03b9d027c6dbad5a3
