Jackfruit 'J33' harvested and ready to eat at LCG, March 2026 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Jackfruit 'J33'
Artocarpus heterophyllus
Moraceae family
Grown from seedling
Jackfruit are the largest fruit produced by any tree, with some specimens reaching well over 40kg in weight. This J33 Jackfruit (also known as Tekam Yellow) however, will generally produce fruit in the 4 - 8kg range with very little latex, low rag and outstanding taste. The tree also has a smaller growth habit than most so is a little easier to manage size. Looks different from most Jackfruit; the leaves are small.
Wait for a pungent smell before harvesting - this indicates ripeness, and it will not ripen any more once off the tree. The bright yellow flesh is crisp and the taste is rather distinctive like a mix of apple, pineapple, mango and banana. It can be cooked as a vegetable; the rind yields a good jelly; the seeds are lovely when boiled or roasted, with a flavour similar to chestnuts, can also be ground into a powder and used in making biscuits.
Native to India and Malaysia.
Tree Maintenance
Pruning
Artocarpus heterophyllus
Moraceae family
Grown from seedling
Jackfruit are the largest fruit produced by any tree, with some specimens reaching well over 40kg in weight. This J33 Jackfruit (also known as Tekam Yellow) however, will generally produce fruit in the 4 - 8kg range with very little latex, low rag and outstanding taste. The tree also has a smaller growth habit than most so is a little easier to manage size. Looks different from most Jackfruit; the leaves are small.
Wait for a pungent smell before harvesting - this indicates ripeness, and it will not ripen any more once off the tree. The bright yellow flesh is crisp and the taste is rather distinctive like a mix of apple, pineapple, mango and banana. It can be cooked as a vegetable; the rind yields a good jelly; the seeds are lovely when boiled or roasted, with a flavour similar to chestnuts, can also be ground into a powder and used in making biscuits.
Native to India and Malaysia.
Tree Maintenance
Pruning
- Do not prune in Winter.
- Prune only Spring or Autumn for size.
- Remove dead wood, and control the height of the tree, preferably to 3-5m.
- Jackfruit trees like consistently moist soil year-round - water whenever the soil begins to dry out.
- Spring (early): liquid seaweed, compost around drip line, poultry manure.
- Autumn: liquid seaweed, sulphate of potash.
- Winter: Rock mineral (crusher dust).
- Can aid fertilisation by rubbing a female fruit against a male.
Jackfruit 'J33' at LCG (photo credit: Graham Bond)
Jackfruit 'J33' at LCG December 2024 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Jackfruit 'J33' at LCG August 2022 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
