🍍🍅🍍💐🌿☘️Jackfruit: A unique world of our national fruit🍍🍅🎊💐☘️
Jackfruit, our national fruit, is like a bright star of summer. The smell of jackfruit wafts through the air throughout Bangladesh as soon as summer arrives. This fruit is not just a common fruit, but a part of our culture, lifestyle and agricultural economy. Jackfruit is a staple of our summer diet, and is known worldwide for its taste and quality. Recently, I had the opportunity to spend some time with a jackfruit vendor at a market, which also helped me appreciate the specialty of jackfruit more deeply.
Jackfruit Characteristics
Jackfruit is a fruit tree covered with large and tough dark green leaves. The jackfruit tree usually grows to a height of 10-20 meters. Its fruit can be about 60-110 cm long and its dark yellow or green peel is large, slippery and fragrant. The inside of the jackfruit is yellow, soft and sweet. The taste and smell of jackfruit are so attractive that it can impress anyone.
Nutritional values and benefits
Jackfruit is rich in various nutrients, which are very beneficial for our body. It contains a lot of vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, and other important nutrients. Jackfruit provides various health benefits, such as:
Increases digestion: Jackfruit contains fiber, which helps keep our digestive system healthy and helps in eliminating constipation problems.
Increases immunity: The vitamin C present in it increases the body's immunity, which helps us fight against various types of infections.
Increases energy: The high oil content of jackfruit helps in providing energy to our body quickly.
Reduces the risk of heart disease: The potassium present in jackfruit helps in controlling blood pressure and helps in reducing the risk of heart disease.
Jackfruit varieties
Different types of jackfruit are available in Bangladesh. Among them, ‘Shahi Jackfruit’, ‘Lal Jackfruit’, and ‘Khshir Jackfruit’ are particularly notable. Each variety has a different taste and aroma, and different varieties of jackfruit are popular in different regions of the country.
Shahi Jackfruit
Shahi Jackfruit is one of the most popular and valuable varieties in Bangladesh. Its taste is very sweet and the density of the shell in it is high. This is one of the main reasons why this variety of jackfruit is in high demand for sale in the market.
Red Jackfruit
The skin color of the red jackfruit is slightly reddish and there is a difference in its taste. It is often used for various types of dishes.
Khshir Jackfruit
Khshir jackfruit is usually grown in rural areas of Bengal. It is small and sweet, which is very popular with children.
Jackfruit experience in the market
Yesterday when I went to a market, as soon as I entered the local jackfruit market, I saw a huge collection of jackfruits. Their smell was so sweet that it attracted me. There were many buyers, including the jackfruit seller. The local seller had arranged the jackfruit beautifully, making their colorful beauty even more attractive.
Chatting with the seller
I had the opportunity to spend some time with a jackfruit seller in the market. He said, “Jackfruit is a special treat in the summer. It is not just a fruit, but a part of our cultural heritage.” From his words, I understood that jackfruit is not just a food, but an entire heritage.
He also told me that they produce different varieties of jackfruit and send them to different parts of the country. There was a kind of sincerity and pride in the seller’s behavior, which clearly made me feel that selling jackfruit is an important part of their life.
Taking pictures
I took the opportunity to take some pictures of the seller and his product. The jackfruit looked so beautiful that I immediately had to take out my camera to take pictures of them. The seller posed with me with a smile and said, "These are our pride,
The Story of a Market Filled with the Smell of Jackfruit
Jackfruit, the national fruit of Bangladesh, has not only made its place in our food list, but also has a lot of social, economic and cultural importance. When jackfruit comes to the market in the summer, it is like a festival for jackfruit lovers. Yesterday, I went to a market where there was a large supply of jackfruit. Going there, I had a new experience, which helped me build a new relationship with jackfruit.
Entering the market
When I stepped into the market entrance, the first thing that hit me was the smell of jackfruit. When jackfruit comes to the market in the hot season, its sweet smell seems to float around. As soon as I entered the market, I was struck by rows of jackfruit of different shapes and sizes. The presence of different varieties of jackfruit fascinated me. Shahi jackfruit, red jackfruit, kheer jackfruit—all arranged for display.
Chatting with Jackfruit Sellers
I went to a jackfruit seller. He had several large and attractive jackfruits. He welcomed me and said with a proud smile, "Come and see the jackfruit! Our harvest has been very good this year!" There was a kind of joy on his face, which spoke volumes.
I asked, "Which of your jackfruits is the most popular?" He said, "Shahi jackfruit. It is mainly in demand because of its extraordinary taste and aroma." He also said that it is sold in different parts of the country and is appreciated everywhere.
Market Atmosphere
The jackfruit sale at the market is a defining experience not only for the sellers but also for the buyers. The excitement and joyful atmosphere of the jackfruit is filled with the songs of the local people. While the sellers are intoxicated with their products, the buyers are roaming around, choosing the jackfruit of their choice. At that time, I noticed how the locals were talking to each other, and there was an interesting discussion about jackfruit.
Teaching Moment
At one point, I saw an old jackfruit seller standing nearby. He was saying, “We don’t waste the by-products of jackfruit harvesting. We use everything.” As he spoke, the uses of different parts of the jackfruit tree were being discussed. The leaves, fruits, and the cold juice of the jackfruit tree—everything has found a place in their lives as a separate ingredient. It is an integral part of our culture.
Children’s Joy
In one corner of the market, a few children were playing with jackfruit shells. The smiles and excitement on their faces were memorable. “Look, I am eating each jackfruit!” a child said proudly. The children were engaged in a kind of game with jackfruit, which reminded me of their true innocence and joy.
I was struck by how the role of jackfruit in children’s play improves their mentality and social skills. When they eat jackfruit, it not only provides physical nourishment but also strengthens their relationships.
Jackfruit Fair
A jackfruit fair is being held at the Timeless Window in the market. The fair will run for the entire week and local farmers are participating. During the fair, local farmers display their jackfruit for local and international buyers. All types of jackfruit, big and small, are available here and the rays of the fair seem to have brought every farmer’s dream.
At the fair, I saw various types of sweet jackfruit—jackfruit sweets, payas, and malpoya. Some of its unique flavors floating in the aroma reminded me of the local way of thinking about jackfruit preservation and preparation.
Jackfruit and Agriculture
Jackfruit forms a huge part of Bangladesh’s agriculture. It is produced in different parts of the country and local farmers pick the golden jackfruit from the fields and take it to the market. Many farmers depend on jackfruit production for their livelihood. When they go to the market, they share their dreams and work history with the sale of jackfruit.