Breadfruit – All You Need To Know | Instacart’s Guide to Groceries

What is breadfruit?

Breadfruit is a round, prickly fruit from the mulberry family that, when cooked, has a remarkably similar flavor to freshly-baked bread or potato. It grows best in hot, wet areas around the equator and is incredibly popular in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Under-ripe breadfruit can be fried, roasted, or boiled. As breadfruit ripens, the inside becomes less bread-like and more of a soft, sweet custard that can be consumed without cooking or preparation.

What is the nutritional value of breadfruit?

Hydrating and nutrient-dense, here’s a look at what you’ll get in a 3-ounce serving of plain breadfruit:

• 103 calories
• 11g sugar
• 5g fiber
• 0.2g fat
• 1g protein

For nutrients, each serving is abundant with:

• Vitamin A
• Several B vitamins
• Vitamin C
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Phosphorous

Where did breadfruit originate?

Originating from New Guinea and the Philippines, breadfruit has been exported to various lowland equatorial regions where the trees thrive. Today, breadfruit trees grow in more than 90 countries in Central America, northern South America, the Caribbean, South Central Asia, and Africa. 

How is breadfruit grown?

Breadfruit trees are at home in tropical areas around the equator like southern Florida, northern Australia, Madagascar, the Maldives, Mexico, Nigeria, and Brazil. The trees grow to be about 85 feet tall and can produce up to 200 fruits in a single growing season. Each variety of breadfruit is unique; some produce fruits that are only a pound in weight, while others can produce fruits over 10 pounds!

The trees require neutral to alkaline soil, lots of sunshine, temperatures between 60 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and a minimum of 80-inches of annual rainfall to grow. 

When is breadfruit in season?

Breadfruit takes about three months to reach maturity, but the timeframe for that varies per location. Thanks to overlapping growing seasons and the ability to transport it around the globe, you can purchase breadfruit all year round! 

How do you pick breadfruit at the grocery store?

Fresh breadfruit should be a yellow-green color, with some bits of light brown being natural. It should have a mildly sweet, aromatic fragrance and the skin should be firm with just a little give. 

If your breadfruit is sticky, it’s likely residual sap from the tree. Do a quick overall check to ensure that it is, in fact, sap and not juices from inside the fruit. 

When buying canned or frozen breadfruit, the best way to ensure that you get a delicious product is to choose a package with a later “use by” date. Also, be sure to check the packaging for holes, tears, and any signs of spoilage to avoid buying a bad product.

Order through Instacart and use the “Instructions” section at check out to let your shopper know which kind you’d prefer.

How to use breadfruit

A versatile fruit, breadfruit can be used for mashed potatoes or fries, baked into pies, or even roasted. When dried and ground into a fine flour, it can be used in baking desserts or bread. It’s also wonderful as a savory side or in a fruit salad. 

How to store breadfruit

Breadfruit should be stored in a cool dark area. One of the best ways to store it is in a large container of cold water in a closet, basement, or garage. 

After you’ve opened the breadfruit, you can keep it fresh by placing it in the refrigerator for up to three days. Make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. 

Breadfruit can also be frozen, however, it’s best to freeze the fruit after cooking it. Let it cool completely before placing it in zipper-top freezer bags. Make sure to label the bag with the date and contents so you can find it again later!

How to tell if your breadfruit has gone bad

If the fruit is soft to the touch, it has gone bad. Other signs of spoilage include mold or fungus growing on it and patches of black or brown bruising on the surface of the fruit. 

What can I substitute for breadfruit?

Breadfruit can be difficult to find in some regions. If you need another option, try one of these substitutes:

• Fresh or canned jackfruit
• Green plantains
• Starchy potatoes 

These substitutes work best in recipes where the breadfruit is roasted or baked. For optimal results, check your recipe for substitution ideas.

Order breadfruit online

Hoping to give it a try? Instead of hopping from store to store, check which local grocers are carrying breadfruit through Instacart. Just add it to your cart and choose same-day delivery or pickup at check out.

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Author

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.