Breadfruit is an exotic fruit that has been around for centuries. It is believed to have originated in the Pacific Islands and was brought to the Caribbean by the British. There, it became a staple crop.
Breadfruit is high in fiber and protein and is a good source of vitamins and minerals. It can be eaten boiled, baked, or fried.
Breadfruit trees require hot and humid climates. So, they cannot survive in the cold weather of most of the continental United States. Here’s a look at this fruit’s history, cultivation, and benefits.
What is Breadfruit?
Breadfruit is a flowering tree species part of the jackfruit and mulberry family. Its scientific name is Artocarpus altilis. The scientific name of breadfruit originated from the Greek words artos, meaning bread, and karpos, meaning fruit.
Staple crop
Breadfruit has been a staple crop in many Pacific Island nations for thousands of years. People in the South Pacific use it as a substitute for bread or other baked goods. The starchy nature of its fruit also makes it ideal to be roasted on an open fire, giving off a lovely scent reminiscent of freshly baked bread.
Breadfruit Tree
Breadfruit trees can grow up to 85 feet or 26 meters tall. The clear trunk of the breadfruit tree can reach up to 20 feet or 6 meters in width. Some varieties of the breadfruit tree may only reach 1/4 or 1/2 of these dimensions, depending on the climate and growing conditions.
They are often buttressed at their base with many spreading branches, making them look attractive. The leaves on the breadfruit tree can be evergreen or deciduous, depending on climate conditions.
Propagating the Fruit
The tree can be propagated either by seed or vegetatively. Propagating the tree with seeds is done by planting mature breadfruit from female trees into well-drained soil. Plants grown from seeds will be variable in characteristics such as fruit size, plant height, and shape of the leaves.
In contrast to propagating with seeds, propagating the breadfruit tree with cuttings is done by cutting from mature branches and rooting it in well-drained soil. This process has much higher success rates, as the new plants will be nearly identical to their parent trees.
Since the tree thrives in the tropics, it’s possible to plant it in southern Florida. In Hawaii, property owners plant the breadfruit tree near homes to facilitate harvesting the fruit. It also makes them an ideal option for creating the perfect garden in the house.
Soil Requirement
The soil should be fertile and well-drained. But seedless varieties can grow in sandy soils, and some seeded varieties grow naturally on limestone islands. The tree occurs near forests and along waterways in New Guinea. They are also found in freshwater swamps and flood plains.
The adaptability of the strains varies depending on the soil condition and climate. For instance, Gilbert Islands’ Mai-Tarika variant is salt-tolerant, while the Manitarvaka of Tahiti is drought-tolerant. On the other hand, the seeded Mejwaan variety of the Marshall Islands can survive in brackish water and is not affected by salt spray.
History of the Breadfruit
Breadfruit originated in New Guinea and across the Indo-Malayan Archipelago. Traveling islanders brought it to different parts of the Pacific Ocean. The spread eventually led to its discovery by Europeans in Marquesas and Tahiti in 1595 and 1606, respectively.
The Europeans were amazed by the unique qualities of this tree and the unexpected fruit it produced. They were delighted by the fruits that had a similar aroma and texture to baked bread when roasted.