Although we don't grow them here, too chilly, breadfruit tree care and cultivation is widely practiced in many tropical cultures. It is a major carbohydrate source, a staple throughout much of the tropics, but what is breadfruit and where does breadfruit grow?
What is a Breadfruit?
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is native to the Malayan Archipelago and gained some recognition due to its affiliation with Captain Bligh's famed ship, the Bounty, in 1788. Aboard the Bounty were thousands of breadfruit trees bound for the islands of the West Indies. The fruit is grown in South Florida in the United States or imported from the West Indies, particularly Jamaica, from June through October, sometimes year-round, and is found in local specialty markets. The breadfruit tree attains a height of about 85 feet (26 m.) and has large, thick, deeply notched leaves. The entire tree yields a milky juice called latex when cut, which is useful for a number of things, most notably, boat caulking. The trees have both male and female flowers growing on the same tree (monoecious). Male blooms emerge first, followed by female blooms that are pollinated a few days later. The resulting fruit is round to oval, 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm.) long and about 8 inches (20 cm.) across. The skin is thin and green, gradually ripening into more of a pale green with some reddish brown areas and mottled with irregular polygon-shaped bumps. At maturity, the fruit is white inside and starchy; when green or underripe, the fruit is hard and starchy like a potato. Breadfruit is mostly utilized as a vegetable and, when cooked, has a musky, fruity flavor and, yet, extremely mild, lending itself well to bold dishes such as curries. Ripe breadfruit may have a texture like a ripe avocado or be as runny as ripe brie cheese.
Breadfruit Tree Facts
Breadfruit is one of the highest-producing food plants in the world. A single tree can produce up to 200 or even more grapefruit-sized fruits per season. Productivity varies according to wet or drier cultivation areas. The fruit is rich in potassium and is used very much akin to a potato-- it can be boiled, steamed, baked, or fried. Soak breadfruit for about 30 minutes prior to use to remove the white, starchy sap or latex. Another interesting breadfruit tree fact is that it is closely related to the “breadnut” as well as to the “jackfruit.” This equatorial lowland species can most often be found below elevations of 2,130 feet (650 m.) but may be seen at heights up to 5,090 feet (1,550 m.). It will thrive in either neutral to alkaline soil composed of sand, sandy loam, loam, or sandy clay. It even tolerates saline soils. The Polynesian peoples transported root cuttings and air layered plants over great ocean distances, so entranced were they with the plant. Not only was breadfruit an important food source, but they used lightweight, termite-resistant wood for buildings and canoes. The sticky latex produced by the tree was utilized not only as a caulking agent but also to trap birds. The wood pulp was made into paper and used medicinally as well. The traditional staple of the Hawaiian people, poi, which is made of taro root, can also be substituted with breadfruit or augmented with it. The resultant breadfruit poi is referred to as poi ulu. Recently, scientists have discovered three compounds or saturated fatty acids (capric, undecanoic, and lauric acid) that are more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET. The historical and cultural importance of breadfruit non-withstanding, we continue to find new uses for this amazingly versatile plant.
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Breadfruit Winter Protection: Can You Grow Breadfruit In WinterIn these tropical locations, providing winter protection for breadfruit is generally unnecessary. Gardens in cooler climates, however, may wonder can you grow breadfruit in winter? Click here to learn more about breadfruit cold tolerance and winter care.
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Breadfruit Seed Propagation: Learn About Growing Breadfruit From SeedIf you?re ambitious, you can definitely try growing breadfruit from seed, but keep in mind the fruit won?t develop true to type. If you?re interested in planting breadfruit seeds, click the following article for more information on breadfruit seed propagation.
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Does Breadfruit Have Seeds – Seedless Vs. Seeded BreadfruitBreadfruit is an extremely popular tropical fruit that is gaining some traction in the rest of the world. But not all breadfruits are created equal. One of the major divides is between seeded and seedless varieties. Learn more about seedless vs. seeded breadfruit varieties here.
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Common Breadfruit Diseases – How To Fix Unhealthy Breadfruit TreesIf you have the right climate for breadfruit tree, it's a great decorative and useful addition to the landscape. Your breadfruit may get damaged by disease, though, so be aware of what may strike it and what to do with a sick breadfruit tree. This article can help.
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Potted Breadfruit Trees – Can You Grow Breadfruit In A ContainerIf you live in a temperate zone and still want to try your hand at breadfruit cultivation, you should consider growing breadfruit trees in containers. Click on the following article to learn more about container grown breadfruit care and requirements.
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Breadfruit Harvest Time: Learn When And How To Harvest BreadfruitPicking breadfruit is easy if a tree has been properly pruned and trained low. Even if it's not, however, a breadfruit harvest is well worth the effort. Learn about when to pick and how to harvest breadfruit in this article. Click here for more info.
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Breadfruit Pruning Guide: Learn About Trimming Breadfruit TreesBreadfruit, like all fruit trees, benefits from an annual pruning. The good news is that pruning a breadfruit isn't all that difficult. If you're looking for tips on cutting back a breadfruit tree then you've come to the right place. Click this article for more information.
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Breadfruit Propagation Methods – How To Propagate Breadfruit TreesAlthough breadfruit trees are long living trees that reliably produce fruit for decades, many gardeners may find that having one tree is simply not enough. Click this article to learn how to propagate breadfruit trees.
