Jackfruit is a gigantic, green-gold lopsided monstrosity that looks more like an alien cocoon than a fruit. It’s weird, it’s stinky, it’s totally exotic. But is it a durian? Is it related to durian? No.
It’s not anything like durian. Not the teensiest bit. Without further ado, this is Jackfruit vs durian.
It’s pretty common for people unfamiliar with Asian fruit to confuse durian with jackfruit. But for some reason, I never hear the confusion the other way. People never look at a jackfruit and say “That’s a durian, right?”
On our durian-specific travels, Rob and I sometimes chatted with fellow western tourists who had not yet met their first durian. When we explained what we were doing in Asia, we inevitably received an incredulous eyebrow raise and amused grin. “Oh yeah, durian,” they tend to say vaguely. “It’s like jackfruit right?”
At this point I have to control my desire to to yell, “How do you know what jackfruit is but not durian? And no, jackfruit is not anything like durian. At all!”
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| this is actually a cempejak, jackfruit relative |
As innocent of a mistake it is, it irritates me. Because why is jackfruit more well-known? How? Why? When? This is the kind of durian-centric conundrum that keeps me up at night. How is that Westerners who have never heard of rambutan, mangosteen, langsat, or duku know the word “jackfruit” but draw a blank at durian? It’s the fruit with the worst reputation. The stinkiest, spikiest, weirdest fruit of them all, the one that even Andrew Zimmern couldn’t stomach. Surely such a fruit is of more interest than jackfruit?
This post is dedicated to clearing up whatever confusion exists between jackfruit and durian and proving, once and for all, that jackfruit is not anything like durian.
Mix-up #1: Durian and Jackfruit are related.
Nope, not even close. When Linnaeus was classifying the fruits, he put durian in the mallow family (Malvacae), and jackfruit in the fig and mulberry family (Morocae). It’s just a fun coincidence that the family names sound similar and rhyme. Durian and jackfruit aren’t even in the same order, one more step up the taxonomic tree. There is currently some disagreement in the scientific community about whether a separate family should be formed for durian and its relatives, but that doesn’t change durian and jackfruit’s status as first cousins three times removed. So I suppose they are related, but only because they’re both Plantae.
Mix-up #2: They’re the two largest fruits in the world
Once again, nope. With the exception of watermelon, jackfruit and durian are both far larger than any fruit found in more temperate zones. Jackfruit especially is renown as the heavy weight champion of the tropics, with the very largest fruits reaching nearly 50 kg (110 lb!).
Jackfruit is exceptionally large, but durian is actually not of notable size for tropical fruits. It’s hard to imagine an apple as big as a soccer ball, but that’s fairly normal size for tropical fruits like papaya, pomelo, soursop, marang, or coconuts. An average durian weighs only around 2.5 kg (5 lbish). The largest durian I’ve ever heard of was discovered by my friend Robert Lockhart, who found a 14kg (30 lb) durian in the Philippines.
That’s an enormous durian, and not one that you’d want to be standing under when it dropped. But the average jackfruit is still far, far larger than the very largest durian. And if we’re comparing fruits, watermelons beat any tropical fruit, including jackfruit, by a good 50 kg (100 lb). The largest watermelon weighed in at 122 kg (268.5 lb)! Good thing watermelons don’t grow on trees!
Mix-up #3: They’re both kinda spiky on the outside
Jackfruit is covered in a dense network of raised bumps. These can make it difficult to hold if the jackfruit is really heavy and will definitely leave a red pattern on hands and forearms. But these are bumps, not thorns. If someone were to hold a durian that heavy, they would end up with a million bloody skin perforations, not to mention a red pattern. The name durian actually derives from the Malaysian word for thorn. No thorns, no durian. Capisce?
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| Fruity No Fly list in Kuching Airport |
Mix-up #4: They both have a strong odor and are banned on airplanes
People already familiar with durian’s reputation may be surprised, but it’s true. Jackfruit is also banned in airports and in the plane cabin, although it doesn’t have durian’s prohibited status as cargo.
Jackfruit emits a strong, bubble-gum odor that has been likened to a combination of rotten-onions, bananas, and pineapple. That’s a big step up from durian’s sweaty socks sitting in sewer water near a fishery. The taste of jackfruit is also typically more readily acceptable to western palates. It’s unclear if this is because of the flavor inherent to jackfruit, or because it resembles flavors already familiar to westerners like bananas and pineapples. Internet hearsay suggests that Wrigley’s juicy fruit gum may have been inspired by the jackfruit. Now why is there no durian gum? (oh wait, there is)
Mix-up #5: They’re both a confusing mess on the inside
To the uninitiated, jackfruit and durian may seem impregnable. The thick skins, the bumps (or spines), and the jumble of soft, odiferous flesh is at first overwhelming.
Acutally, only jackfruit is bubblegum scented chaos. Jackfruit lacks those wonderful weakened seams I go on and on about in How to Open a Durian, meaning that there is no obvious way to cut it open. The edible portion is intermixed with slimy stringy fibers, so that hunting for a piece of fruit is like goldmining in a sea of spaghetti. To make matters worse, the skin and core emit a thick, sticky white latex that quickly coast lips and fingers and drapes like spiderwebs across the hairs on the back of the hands.
Durian has a very sensible organization (thank-you nature! I love tidiness). Once you get a sense for locating those weakened seams in the shell, opening a durian is actually very easy. Each fruit has five hollowed cavities which encase a row of fruit pods. The seam conveniently runs right down the middle of each cavity, making making fruit access relatively easy. There is no spaghetti or inedible fibers. And in contrast to Jackfruit, Durian has no latex. Plus one, durian.
Mix-up #6: They both have large “pods” of flesh surrounding seeds
Yes, the anatomical structure of the edible portion is similar. Both durian and jackfruit have in common arils, large seeds, a seed coat, funiculuses (funiculi?), and probably lots of other botanical terminology. Anyone who has ever tasted jackfruit and durian knows that neither the texture nor the taste of jackfruit is in any way similar to durian.
The edible flesh of Jackfruit is typically a bit rubbery, very pliable and chewy, and sometimes stringy, like juicy plastic. As mentioned above, the flavor is sometimes described as a combination of bananas and pineapple or Wrigley’s yellow gum. The edible portion of durian is thick and creamy, a pudding encased in a thin waxy skin. The flavor is indescribable and has confounded authors, travelers, connoisseurs, and chefs – a sweet almondine onion-sherry chocolate mousse with hints of garlic and farts. Delightful! And completely incomparable to jackfruit.
Mix-up #7: They’re both jungle trees
I’m only adding this in here because I have witnessed, with my own eyes, someone point to a jackfruit tree with jackfruit on it and proudly proclaim it a durian tree. This just makes me sad.
True, durian and jackfruit do both grow in humid tropical environments and they do have similar leaves: shiny, dark green, oblong and kinda pointy. BUT: durian trees grow on average more than twice as tall as the average jackfruit tree, putting durian trees in an entirely different rainforest strata (they’re emergents, jackfruits are canopy).
The position of the fruits in the tree should also give away at the slightest glance which tree is which. Jackfruits tend to cluster on the trunk or very nearby. Durian, except for one species, spread themselves indiscriminately along the branches and very rarely appear on the trunk. So even the trees don’t have much in common.
Finally: Well, they both come from Southeast Asia
Nope. This came as a surprise to me too. I believed jackfruit to have originated in the same place as durian: Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia. But jackfruit originates in Southern India, in the mountains called the Western Ghats. India is technically not Southeast Asia.
Jackfruit’s place of origin may be the secret behind why it’s more well-known in the West than durian. India and the West have had significant interaction for thousands of years. It’s estimated that by 3,000 BCE India had established trade with Mesopotamia. Fun fact: even before 1,000 BCE there was an established Jewish colony in Kerala (a major jackfruit growing region) that traded regularly with the Middle East. This means that western cultures have been in contact with jackfruit for over 5,000 years! The English word “jackfruit” even derives from the Tamil word chakka, despite jackfruit being widespread throughout Southeast Asia.
In contrast, the first mention of durian in Western records is from Niccoli da Conti’s voyage to Malaysia in 1421. Could it be that jackfruit seems more familiar to Western people because it is? It’s a long shot speculation, but it’s fun to guess.
Can we all agree now that they’re not at all similar? Not the teensiest bit?
Post your jackfruit/durian rant below.
campwithmom says
I really enjoyed this comparison of jackfruit and durian! It was fascinating to see the distinct differences, especially regarding their flavors and textures. I’ve only tried durian so far, and your points about its strong aroma and creamy texture really resonate with my experience. I’m definitely curious to try jackfruit next!
Jasmijn says
Very insightful. I made a video on How to eat jackfruit and bumped into this blog. <3 Haven’t seen Durian in Kenya yet.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnH9c7vBA30/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
B says
If india isn’t technically Southeast Asia what is it? Tell that to the ppl in Nepal and Pakistan. A simple google search will tell you it is in fact south east Asia. Your welcome.
Sara Thomas says
I came across this article while looking for info on red jackfruit. I am native of Kerala where jackfruit is very common, but not the red variety. Having lived in Malaysia for 6years I am familiar with durian, even the one with red flesh.
I too thought jackfruit and durian belong to the same family until I read this very interesting and informative post.
I know the seeds of the jackfruit is edible and is cooked along with beef and is very tasty.
The seed of durian in not eaten, as far as I know.
Currently in Kerala farmers are growing jackfruit with red pods called ‘chembarrati chaka’.
As for the difficulty cutting open a jackfruit., smear your hands and your knife with oil, place the fruit on sheets of newspaper and start off. The sap will not stick to your knife 0r hands.
Tony Raymond says
Great article. Thanks. I have eaten both but your article still helped with some confusion and also gave us a really good laugh.
Jack Durnian says
Yarr. I hate you Mr. Jack Fruit. So sticky and pointy. Ouch. Also, you nearly ruined several of my knives with your tar-like insidey stuff. Gross. Wore glove though so I got the last laugh. Going to try some Durian fruit next. I have low expectations. Frowny Face.
Smeena says
I just told my sister about jackfruit as some people are really into it. She didn’t know about it and when she saw the picture she was like “isn’t that a Durian” 🤣 that’s how I actually found your article to check that they are not the same fruits 😄
Lindsay says
Jackfruits are amazing! But definitely not the same as durian 😀
Becky Barnes says
Tried Jackfruit for the first time today, and admit I was one of those confused with Durian. Thus my internet search where I stumbled across this delightful write-up. Thank you! It was an informative, hilarious read.
AJ says
I live outside of Washington, DC, and I know what jackfruit is because a guy I know who runs a catering business barbecues it as a vegetarian alternative to BBQ meat.
It seems to be catching on here (possibly because it can be cooked like meat), and I’ve seen it for sale at Whole Foods.
Durian, however, doesn’t seem to be as common, and the only reason I know about it is because an Indonesian guy I went to college with grows them.
Sunil says
Just found the durian here in Laos, Before that I was completely unknown about this fruit. Since I am from Nepal, I love jack-fruit taste. We two brother used to finish one jackfruit in one time and it never gave any problem to our stomach. Chinese colleague asked me if I like jack-fruit or not and I said of course I love it. And they gave me this durian to taste and they still think it is a jackfruit. My experience is opposite to yours; I liked jack-fruit more than durian.
Siddharth says
Long live Jackfruit
Thomas says
Nice well written article, I learned that the two fruits are only distantly related to my surprise.
Had some fresh nanka/nangka a.k.a. “jackfruit” today straight from a family’s garden here in Bali and loved it again as before. Ripe, not too sweet and still chewy. Pleasant fragrance too. Had durian on and off over the years and can’t wait to have it again but seems to be out of season now. Will still try to find one or more. Nice buttery texture and incomparable flavor. The “smell” is good to me, understandably that is personal…
Liz says
Shortly after I arrived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, I heard about durian. The more I heard the more I knew I had to get some. Especialy when I learned it was banned on buses, airplanes, hotels and theaters. One day, while shopping in Central Market, I came across some Khmer ladies near the nail salon area. It looked to me like they were sharing a forbiodden secret. Then I realized it wasn’t a forbidden secret, but a forbidden fruit: durian. Somehow I communicated with them and they let me taste it. One of the most divine flavors ever. Yes, it’s custardy in texture, but a riuch fruity combination of cream, vanilla, caramel, fresh peaches and pears. I gues my nose wasn’t working, or perhaps I remembered not to breathe. I enjoyed it. But I knew that my hostess would kick me out of her apartment if I showed up with durian. Thank you, lovely ladies at the Central Market!
Jack Nathan says
Durian (except for those who hate it) tends to be described as tasting like heaven, and smelling like a sewer. The smell tends to stay after washing, although washing with water that runs over the pith of the durian appears to be effective in getting rid of the smell (there are also variants that don’t smell, or have been treated not to smell). It is so sought after that occasionally people have choked to death through eating too much (as reported in Malaysia). In Singapore, after a storm, a couple of police cars came to a tree near our house to collect the fallen fruit – but too late, as my neighbour and I had already collected several sacks full.
Teju says
I heard a lot about durian (both positive and negative) but was curious to know the details, and thank you for this wonderful article.
As a South Indian there is one more fact about Jackfruit I want to add here. Raw Jackfruit is also cooked and consumed in various ways, as a curry, fried. And the ripe Jackfruit chips have crazy amount of fans in India.
Arleen Fadel says
What an outstanding (and humorous) article that demystifies jackfruit vs durian. I’d been confusing the two up until now. Thank you!
Claudia says
Thanks for the info! I was always curious about it because in Brazil we have plenty of jackfruits but no Durians, most brazilians don’t even know this fruit.
Maybe one of the things that made jackfruits well known is because you can make a very good meat substitute with it so the vegetarian society knows it well.
Mark says
Likely the reason is because Jackfruit will tolerate a few cold weather days, around freezing, and still survive. The Durian is truly tropical and can’t handle anything but a fully tropical environment. I’d love to try growing Breadfruit, but it gets too cold in Florida.
Vivek Prasannan says
Chakka is derived from malayalam word not from tamil
Jiminy C says
I have no experience with jackfruit, but when I lived in Taiwan, the overpowering smell of durian ruined all of my trips to the market. They always piled durian by the entrance so I would hold my breath and race past the noxious smell to safety. I typically have a very strong stomach, but durian is the worst thing i have ever experienced.
[email protected] says
Hi Jiminy, Sorry to hear that! I imagine you got a bad one — they can be pretty darn foul when going rotten!
alkh3myst says
Wow, you really know your botany. Congratulations.
[email protected] says
Um, thanks?
Leizel Nichols says
I came to your site because my husband has gotten on a kick about trying different fruits with our children at Sunday morning breakfast. I took the family to the oriental store (different experience for my American children). Before leaving I spotted a can of jackfruit and decided that would be the fruit the next morning.
This morning I opened the can and balked at the smell…but it’s canned! I put it on the table, and my husband remarked about the rancid smell. I agreed, and I remarked about not remembering that growing up when my mom would feed us some from a jar. So I had to look up “jackfruit smell” and here I am.
I’m still a little too scared to try dragonfruit or some of the other fruits I’ve seen.
[email protected] says
Hi Leizel!
Way to go being brave with that jackfruit! Dragonfruit is very mild, you shouldn’t have the same smelly troubles 🙂
ramu says
You have not known what a jackfruit is; or you do not what smell is all about; That’s why you have written that jackfruit is stinky. Whether it is a simple typing mistake for sticky; n instead of c; as it should be. You come to Kerala in the months of March-May; and you can taste the wonders of jackfruit in its pristine purity.
DK says
Lived in Kodaikanal as a child, I COULD NOT stand jackfruit, smelled like vomit
dcb says
Chakka is not a tamil word, its malayalam ,spoken in south india, state named Kerala.
Mox Enders says
Hey I am western and only knew durian until right now, as I found some jackfruit at Changi Airport. I first proceeded to mistake it for durian by the way. I hope this cheers you up a bit.
Mox Enders says
Hey I am western and only knew durian until right now, as I found some jackfruit at Changi Airport. I first proceeded to mistake it for durian by the way. I hope this cheers you up a bit.
Erica says
I am from Oklahoma and have seen jackfruit in the different Asian markets there. I've never seen durian, though. Also, I've never tried either but I'd love to! I now live in upstate South Carolina and am hoping to find both because now my curiosity is definitely piqued!
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Erica,
Very cool to find jackfruit in Oklahoma! I'm sure if they have the jack they have the almighty durian as well — have you checked the freezer section? I've bought durian in North Carolina before, good luck on finding it in S.C.! Hope to hear how you like it 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
Marcus Mansur says
Being from Brazil I am used to Jackfruits, but never tasted a Durian. So… I believe either Jackfruits have been brought from India to the Americas (hence being more well know to westerns) or they have some South American relative. Anyway… I am going to SE Asia soon and I am definitely tasting a Durian. I am not a big fan of Jack, but I hope I enjoy this new mysterious fruit. Thanks for all the details. I just loved all your helpful explanation.
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Marcus, good luck on your exploration of SE Asia! I hope that you like the durian more than the jack — for me I only like jackfruit when it is very ripe and preferably one of the soft varieties, otherwise it is too starchy. If you bring back durian seeds you can plant them in Brazil!
Anonymous says
Durian min!
Sagi Musume says
One suggestion, at least near me locally it makes sense, is specifically because Jackfruit does come from India. Where I lived there were many Indian people, and where I work (multiple places I have worked) one often works along side many Indian people so that there are shops and stores that carry imports and groceries all around from India.
Enough that they even sub-segregate between Indo-Pakistani groceries, South Indian Groceries, etc.
Jackfruit seems to travel better than Durian too.
So it may be that if they live in the right place, western people are more likely to have seen a weird spiky fruit and learned that it is a Jackfruit.
Thus seeing other spiky fruits it's not surprising they might think that there is only one spiky tropical fruit from the east.
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Sagi, that's a good theory!
Bawlz09 says
I have a tree in Ohio along a creek line, the fruit looks just like durian same colour and shape but smaller, would you have any idea what this could be,
Mlle says
Ossage orange or hedge apple perhaps. These also grow in Indiana.
Lindsay Gasik says
I would LOVE to see a picture! Can you email me at durianyearATgmail.com or post it on our Facebook Page?
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Nina, thanks for your comments! You're right that jackfruit normally needs to be picked as it doesn't fall on it's own and may actually rot on the tree, at which point it falls in disgusting chunks!
Nina Baron says
There were two Jackfruit trees in the area where I lived with my parents as a kid. I used to watch the gardeners take them off when they were ready to be plucked out. They wouldn't let them fall to the ground, as the fruit inside would be damaged if it burst open.
Anonymous says
And for those unfamiliar with the jackfruit, you'll get it in my parents' birthplace – Goa (India) and i'm sure you'll love it as much as I do (if ripe and juicy). It is seasonal, though … a
Nina Baron says
I really love this fruit. But, well, too much of it is no good. One would get tummy problems. They're expensive though, where I live now.
Anonymous says
Just returned from my first study-holiday in Nanjing, China (jul/aug'15). Was curious at first sighting of durian. Bought it but gave it away to a helpful local volunteer (coz I was told he absolutely loved it). Then I wanted to try it myself but was told it was banned in the university hotel where I was staying. Desperate, I finally spotted Durian ice-cream just as I was leaving Nanjing. It was a taste of heavenly paradise. Went to Chinatown (Manhattan) yesterday and found Durian chewy sweets in a small supermarket on Mulberry St. Was disappointed to read that it had only 1.5%, yet relishing it daily. Can't wait to really taste durian some day. Thanks for the wonderful article and all comments that followed… a
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Anonymous, if you are in New York (Manhattan) you should be able to find some real durian, either from Thailand or even Malaysia! Look for it in Chinatown.
Anonymous says
Thanks Lindsay. I've seen them now. Afraid my neighbours may have me evicted if I take one home! I took the sweets for my office mates earlier this week, and the container was still full as of today. So disheartening. The smell turned them away.
Anonymous says
Never had Duran or Jackfruit, but i have had and love soursop, grew up on it. This seems a similar fruit, just smaller and inside pure white with black seeds, does not smell and tastes magnificent.
Nina Baron says
Let Dry the Jackfruit seeds. Smash and grind or chew a few pieces when one diarrhea. It's used as a natural remedy in India.
I love the dried seed too. I used to use it as thickening agent for daal, gravies etc.
Mercy Thuo says
Nice read, I'm happy to finally know the difference
Anonymous says
Is there a relation between jackfruit and durian being confused among people regarding the poison created (this post( http://www.dramafever.com/news/what-this-killer-fruit-did-to-one-man-is-like-an-urban-myth-come-true/ ) says about the poison) when cola is consumed after eating it?
Anonymous says
Could some of the confusion come from another language? Perhaps French? I have a jar in front of me that is labeled with three names – Jackfruit, Langka, and Durien. I assume that "Durien" and "Durian" sound very similar. (I also assume "Langka" is from the Philippines.)
syamil jamil says
I think Langka is actually the fruit "Nangka", cousin of "Cempedak", a few varieties of Jackfruit…
Domenica Ott says
I laughed tears about how you describe the two fruits. you write with heart blood, as we say in german. too bad you remain anonymous here – who are you?
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Domenica,
Thanks for the comment! I'm glad you enjpy this post. To find out more about me just check out the About section of this blog!
Anonymous says
Thanks for this article, ive been trying to understand the difference for years. I had durian a long time back and i loved it. I didnt know what it was and i thought it was jackfruit, i think for the reasons this article has pointed out. I finally got my hands on frozen jackfruit, thinking i was going to get a taste of that yellow custardy sweetness, instead i got something stringy and inedible. Thats what brought me here. Now i know. Now i wonder where i can get frozen durian from.
Lindsay Gasik says
Glad this article was of help! I also prefer durian to jackfruit, although if you find one of the jackfruits that are soft inside, rather than crunchy, they can be very nice. To find frozen durian I would check an Asian grocery in your area 🙂
Deb says
Well right after i posted that i immediately googled where to buy frozen durian, and it led me right back to this website, and your page on where to buy durian in la, where i currently happen to live, and your convenient durian hotspot map. I cant wait to check out 99 ranch. I see it all the time and had no idea it was an asian market. Thanks again for your hard work and info. Im so excited to go there this weekend.
Anonymous says
Cool article, thanks!
Pascale AljureVDB says
I knew durian and not jackfruit. I love durian and I am a westener… it was almost grounds for divorce my all day eating durian when I went to Malaysia with my boyfriend. Nice post.
Pascale AljureVDB says
I knew durian and not jackfruit. I love durian and I am a westener… it was almost grounds for divorce my all day eating durian when I went to Malaysia with my boyfriend. Nice post.
Lance Walker says
Fantastic article, thank you for writing it and clarifying in detail the differences between the two. Although I really enjoyed the writing style and humour, I sadly cannot say the same about my feelings for durian. The smell is enough to chase me away from any space where it is sitting. I've been living in China for a couple of years now, and had first thought that some local supermarkets smelled like rotting meat. But later realized that it was your friend, the durian (and yes, not jackfruit).
Lindsay Gasik says
Dear Lance,
I suggest your reserve your judgment of durian until you have tasted (and smelled) a fresh one. The difference between the odor of a durian that has just dropped from the tree and one that has been sitting around for days is quite remarkable.
Thanks for reading this article! I'm glad you enjoyed it 🙂
– Lindsay
Anonymous says
I have never seen or tasted durian .. but I ordered some seeds online recently and hope i live long enough to see them come to fruit. Your description of the jackfruit was not very flattering. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE JACKFRUIT
Lindsay Gasik says
I absolutely love jackfruit too! It's definitely one of my favorite fruits if it's allowed to ripen properly. But it's not durian 😀
Anonymous says
For me, and I'm English (although married to a Chinese) durian is simply the most wonderful food God has ever created. The smell and taste is out of this world, I crave for it like a forbidden drug! No other food creates such diametrically opposed views…you either worship it or are disgusted by it. I for one worship it!
Fruitarian Mango says
oops.. sorry, didn't see robs comment until after I'd posted mine..
Fruitarian Mango says
mix-up #2.. you forgot to mention the pumpkin.. the largest pumpkin outweighs the largest watermelon by far!! http://www.pumpkinnook.com/giants/giantpumpkins.htm
great post!
Lindsay Gasik says
lol, I guess I didn't think of pumpkins as a fruit! Jeez, a 2 ton fruit is insane! That could feed an entire village. Or make enough juice to flood it 😛 Had any pumpkin juice lately Mango?
Atman says
Also a watermelon is also a gourd as well
Rob says
Fun stuff. I especially liked the size showdown so I looked up some numbers. While a 268 pound watermelon is impressive, it seems the king of the hill is pumpkin. Just last year a record setting pumpkin weighed in at… drum roll… 2009 pounds!
Anonymous says
a pumpkin is a vegetable
Davjohn says
No, a pumpkin is a fruit. It’s actually a berry. Same with almost all melons.
Lindsay Gasik says
Botanically speaking pumpkins are still fruits because they consist of a fleshy endocarp surrounding a whole bunch of seeds.
That means that a lot of veggies are really fruits, like capsicums (bell pepper), tomatoes, and even eggplant.
But the best reason I can think of that pumpkin is a fruit is that it belongs in pie.
Jenna says
What about rhubarb? There are rhubarb pues, and thise are veggies!
JCJ says
It’s just that a lot of veggies are *also* fruits. “Vegetable” is a culinary term, so it’s not mutually exclusive with “fruit” which has a scientific definition…
Anonymous says
Fuck your spamming god.
ShanChin says
Jackfruit is probably also well known in the west since it also grows in the Carribbean.
[email protected] says
It’s also possible that Westerners heard of Jackfruit earlier than durian, since Jackfruit can grow further north than durian. Apparently Alexander the Great tasted jackfruit in India!
Antina says
To be honest, I confused a Jackfruit for a Durian ??
[email protected] says
Unforgiveable 😉