Jackfruit Jubilee, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami, Fla.

Miami, Fla.—Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden held a Jackfruit Jubilee. This year’s festival educated people on what jackfruit was, where it came from, where it could be grown, and most importantly what it tasted like. There were over 18 different varieties on display and for tasting. 

Jackfruit Jubilee, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami, Fla.
Copyright 2014 by Helen A Lockey

One of the speakers, Chris Rollins, Manager of Fruit & Spice Park, Redlands, Fla., said, “Jackfruit is like a watermelon growing on a tree covered in alligator skin and tastes like cantaloupe, banana and juicy fruit gum.”

Chris Rollins, Manager Fruit & Spice Park, at Jackfruit Jubilee,
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami, Fla.
Copyright 2014 by Helen A Lockey

He gave a hilarious talk on his experiences at the park when the fruit was first planted. He said jackfruit was a comfort food for many Asian Miami-Dade residents that reminded them of home. “There was a time in the early 80s when I would hire an armed guard to watch my trees,” Rollins said causing the audience to laugh in disbelief.

“The point is these fruit are so compelling. They’re eaten raw in either a green or ripe form, they’re sap is used to make glue and their wood is highly prized," said Rollins.

Today, more South Florida farmers are growing jackfruit so there is a lower rate of stealing going on in the park.

Many South Florida botanic gardens also now grow jackfruit. You’ll have to visit these places during the growing season, from June to September, to see the largest fruit, that can get up to 100 lbs. in size.