HEALTH CORNER
What is Breadfruit
Good For?
FoodFacts presented by MERCOLA
https://foodfacts.mercola.com/breadfruit.html
Botanical name: Artocarpus altilis
Cultivated for over 3,000 years, breadfruit is a
crop native to Papua New Guinea and widely
consumed throughout the Pacific Islands. It’s also
grown in several tropical parts of the world.
While it may not be your first fruit of choice in
terms of flavor profile, many experts believe that
it may help provide food security in poverty-
stricken parts of the world because of its
abundant yield.
What Is Breadfruit?
Scientifically known as Artocarpus altilis,
breadfruit is a tropical crop, characterized by
its lumpy appearance and potato-like flesh. It’s
considered a cultural icon and an important staple
crop in traditional Pacific Island agriculture.
Its potential as a staple food source was
recognized by the Europeans during the
1700s. This prompted one of the biggest
sailing adventures in history, with the goal of
transporting breadfruit from Tahiti to Jamaican
sugar plantations, where they were largely
cultivated to feed slaves.
Breadfruit trees can reach a height of up 48 to
70 feet. They’re relatively easy to grow, as they
require little attention, labor and materials. Plus,
they can adapt to different ecological conditions.
These hardy trees usually start bearing fruit after
three to five years, and continue to do so for
decades.
86 SL-YOU | Business, People & Lifestyle
www.slyoumag.com | July-August 2019