Jackfruit
The jackfruit is the world's largest tree grown fruit. This specimen growing at the Fruit and Spice Park in Florida is a typical example. Jackfruit is an acquired taste. In my opinion it at first tastes like juicy fruit gum, which is delicious but then the flavor transforms into that of eating a raw union. The tree is very easy to grow from seed and I have grown it in a pot in Phoenix. It takes the low Arizona desert heat very well, and grows fast during the summer as long as it is supplied with lots of water. However, it languishes during winter. When night time lows are near 40 °F, the plant stops growing and slowly declines. Even if temperatures never go below freezing a jackfruit can die of chilly weather in Southern Arizona. |