Jackfruit scientifically known as Artocarpus heterophyllius, lam, locally known as “nangka” or “langka” is a favorite dessert of Filipinos, it is one of the most widely grown fruit crops in the Philippines. It was reported that this fruit is one of the famous in the world because it produces the largest edible fruit that weighs as much as 50kg. Many people believe that the leaves of the jackfruit tree can cure skin diseases. The bast of the tree is utilized in making rope and clothing. Cebuanos use the wood of the jackfruit tree in making excellent guitars and ukeleles, that’s why jackfruit orchards are becoming increasingly popular in Cebu.
Tag: jackfruit
Monkey jack and Gumihan
Monkey jack and Gumihan
Monkey Jack (Artocarpus rigidus Blume)
Gumihan (Artocarpus sericicarpus)
Unknown to many, the jackfruit and the breadfruit have relatives which bear delicious fruits and provide fairly good sources of timber. These species are the monkey jack and the “gumihan.” They play an important role in the natural vegetationin South-East Asia providing food , fiber, and medicinal products.
Description
The monkey jack is an evergreen tree which grows up to 35 m high. It has a gray bark which peels off in flakes. Leaves are oblong, dark green with prominent veins underneath. Numerous and small flowers are densely packed together forming the male and female heads which are produced separately within the same tree. Fruit is round, 7-13 cm wide, with thick, tapering spines, thick skin, and dull orange. Inside the fruit is the orange, sweet, waxy, and pleasant tasting pulp which surrounds the seeds.
The gumihan, on the other hand, is a medium-to-large-sized tree growing up to 40 m tall. The leaves are large, dark green, and hairy underneath. Fruit is roundish, 4-5 cmlong and 4 cm wide, orange yellow and covered with lon, coarse, thread-like hairs. The skin is thick and fleshy. The pulp is whitish, sweet, juic, aromatic and of fair to good flavor. Seeds are many, roundish and separate readily from the flesh. Continue reading “Monkey jack and Gumihan”