Is a jackfruit a fruit or a vegetable?

Jackfruit is a fruit, although it is often mistaken for a vegetable due to its appearance and usage in savory dishes. It is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world and is native to South and Southeast Asia.

Jackfruit is typically eaten when it is ripe, and the flesh has a sweet, tropical flavor that is often compared to a combination of mango, banana, and pineapple. However, unripe jackfruit is also used in cooking and has a neutral taste that makes it a popular meat substitute for vegetarian and vegan dishes.

From a botanical perspective, jackfruit is a member of the mulberry family and grows on trees. It is considered a fruit because it develops from the ovary of a flowering plant and contains seeds, just like other fruits such as apples, oranges, and strawberries.