Jackfruit (Kathal) (Artocarpus heterophyllus): World's largest tree fruit — a plant-based meat alternative with significant nutritional benefits.
🔍 Quick Facts
| Common name | Jackfruit (Kathal) |
| Other names | Kathal (Hindi); Pala (Tamil); Panasa (Telugu); Chakka (Malayalam) |
| Scientific name | Artocarpus heterophyllus |
| Plant family | Moraceae (fig family) |
| Size | 10–20 m evergreen tree |
| Native region | South India, Bangladesh |
| Climate | Tropical |
| Ease of growing | Moderate |
| Parts used | Fruit, Seeds, Leaves, Bark |
About Jackfruit
Jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world — a single fruit can weigh over 30 kg. It is the state fruit of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Unripe jackfruit has a meaty texture that has made it popular worldwide as a plant-based meat substitute, while ripe jackfruit is sweet and fragrant. Its seeds are also roasted or cooked.
Botanically known as Artocarpus heterophyllus, it belongs to the Moraceae family. It is native to South India, Bangladesh and grows best in a tropical climate. The parts most often used are the fruit, seeds, leaves and bark.
Uses & Nutrition
Jackfruit is best known for:
- Plant-based protein
- Immune support
- Digestive health
- Antioxidant
- Energy food
How to Eat & Cook It
- Raw jackfruit is cooked as a curry or "pulled" meat substitute.
- Ripe bulbs are eaten fresh or made into chips and halwa.
- Seeds are boiled, roasted or added to curries.
How to Grow Jackfruit
| ☀️ Sunlight | Full sun. |
| 💧 Watering | Regular rainfall; dislikes waterlogging. |
| 🪴 Soil | Deep, well-drained soil. |
| 🌱 Propagation | Seeds or grafts (grafts fruit in 3–4 years). |
| 📅 When to plant (India) | Plant in the monsoon; fruits March–July. |
| 🏡 In pots / at home | Too large for pots. |
Precautions & Safety
- High in potassium — limit with kidney disease.
- Latex is very sticky; oil your hands and knife before cutting.
- Can cause allergy in people with birch-pollen or latex allergy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Further Reading on Jackfruit
Written by the WhyOnPlanet editorial team · Last updated October 2026