Never heard of it? Neither had I, at least until I bought my current house with four jackfruit trees! Now I’m the jackfruit queen (according to my husband) and, more importantly, I’ve discovered an entire underworld of jackfruit aficionados right here in Miami — an absolute cult-like following. Who knew? It was 2001 and we had been moved in to our house only a few short days when it all started. Knock, knock. Who’s there? We want jackfruit. I buy jackfruit. We need jackfruit. Give us jackfruit. Are jackfruit ready? How much for jackfruit? Needless to say, we got up to speed on jackfruit pretty fast — what are they? how big do they get? how do you know when they’re ripe? how do you eat them? fresh? cooked? how the heck do you get a 40-pound fruit down from a 40-ft high branch? Well, we found several local markets who buy wholesale from us, and our son’s college account is all the better for it.
Jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, reaching up to 120 pounds (although they don’t get that large here in the states — our record is 44 pounds). Thought to be indigenous to the Western Ghats of India, they are a staple in many Asian countries, and are now being grown in Africa, Australia and some of the Caribbean islands. They have a sweetish-crunchyish-juicy fruit gum-ish flavor. Our jacks are available at Robert is Here Fruit Stand in Homestead (www.robertishere.com) which is worth the trip even if you don’t want jackfruit (their milkshakes are to die for), and also at Asian Best Market, located at 17047 S. Dixie Hwy (305-293-1090). Asian Best is a great source for all Asian cooking supplies, teas and fresh produce.
Want your own jackfruit trees? Buy this house — it’s for sale!! It was also featured as one of the NBC-6 BEST DEALS!! It’s the cheapest ACRE home in the Palmetto Middle/High District w/ an adorable 3/2 plus office w/ hardwood floors. We’re trading in jackfruit, mangos and avocados for peaches, plums and the St. Louis Cardinals. 🙂
This fab property is located at 11805 SW 84 Avenue — offered at $649,000. Here’s the link: http://www.ewm.com/property/295476327-11805-sw-84-av-miami-fl