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Home » Local Food

The Amazing Yaka Fruit

Submitted by Manzanillo Blogger on Tuesday, 29 July 20084 Comments

One of the delights of living in a tropical area is the astounding variety of fruits that are available. It is always fun to stop at a roadside fruit stand and sample the local eats. Driving past these fruit stands I have always been curious about these enormous prickly green fruits that are hanging like Chinese lanterns from the eaves. On one of our recent trips I finally got around to asking what these monstrosities were.

Turns out the local name for it is Yaka fruit. Also known as jackfruit, which is in the family of breadfruit. The Yaka fruit is the worlds largest fruit. It’s not uncommon for a single one to grow to over 30 kilos. Originally from India this fruit is used in a variety of Asian dishes and is somewhat of an acquired taste. The flavor is of melon, banana, mango, and papaya all rolled into one. People either love it or hate it, similar to how people feel about acai berries Locals use it for a remedy to stomach problems, ulcers, curing hangovers, and the roasted nut is said to be an aphrodisiac. The fruit even produces a sticky latex that was used to caulk ships. Who knew?

Next time you are driving by a fruit stand, pull over and try this unique and yummy fruit with a splash of lime or chile.

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4 Comments »

  • Manzanillo Blog’s Most Popular Posts | Manzanillo Mexico Blog said:

    [...] The Amazing Yaka Fruit Last but not least is an article on an amazing fruit that you can find here in Manzanillo [...]

    - 28 September 2008 at 2:49 pm
  • Travel Mexico Cheaply- Less Than $45 A Day | Manzanillo Mexico Blog said:

    [...] sure to try out the local fruits. You can usually get a cup of mangos or a mix of fruit with chili, salt, and lemon on it for 10 [...]

    - 22 October 2008 at 11:43 pm
  • Jorge said:

    My name is Jorge and I am from a place called Cd. Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico. I went to Nayarit a couple of years back. When I was in a small town called Santa Cruz (I think). I ran into this fruit. I was so impresed with the size that I ended up buying 2 for like $15 USD. I was told it was for hang overs and that it was afrodisiac. I took them home showed all my friends and most of us liked it. I just wanted to tell my experience. I didn’t know it was the world’s biggest fruit thanks for sharing that.

    - 10 April 2009 at 1:58 pm
  • rocio said:

    hi my name is rocio i was surprize about this fruit it look ugly from the outside but it turn to be very good fuit, but to much work to clean it up my daughter like it to and she is very special about eating some thing uglyfrom outside she clean it to she got tired of it , i wish there where recipes for it not just lemon and yaka

    - 1 June 2009 at 2:25 am

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