Non-Asians often confuse Jackfruit with Durian, two fruits native to Southeast Asia. Jackfruit and Durian seem to be the same to the inexperienced eye. However, they are very different.
In this post, we will go over the primary differences between Durian vs Jackfruit, as well as some of the health advantages of each.
Whichever fruit you choose, you will have a better understanding after reading this informative guide.
What is Jackfruit?
The nutrient-dense Jackfruit is largely farmed in India, Southeast Asia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. It’s also prevalent in South America, but it’s not as popular there as it is in Asia.
The Jackfruit is a member of the breadfruit family that grows on a big tree. Jackfruit is distinguished by its hard, spiky skin and soft, mushy inside. It may reach a size of 40 to 50 kg and generate a lot of fruit.
Jackfruit may be eaten raw or cooked like a vegetable. When the Jackfruit is fully mature, the pulp inside becomes yellow and includes huge seeds that are also tasty.
In the Indian subcontinent, there are around 30 distinct kinds of Jackfruit, with another 30 Malaysian variants.
What is Durian?
It is a spiky fruit that resembles a coconut or a cantaloupe in size. With its spiky green outside and yellowish smooth pulp within, Durian resembles a Jackfruit at first view. The Durian, like the Jackfruit, is a Southeast Asian native.
In Malaysia, Durian is regarded as the King of Fruits because of its high nutritional value. Proteins, lipids, fiber, and carbs are abundant in the fruit pulp of the Durian.
Jackfruit Versus Durian – Comparison
When comparing the look, weight, and size of Durian vs Jackfruit, you’ll see that Jackfruit is significantly bigger than Durian, growing up to 90 cm vs. 18 cm for Durian. The Jackfruit tree may reach a height of 25 meters, whereas the Durian tree is only around 18 meters tall. The Jackfruit may reach 115 pounds in weight, whereas the Durian fruit can reach 28 pounds.
Are Jackfruit and Durian Related?
No, Durian and Jackfruit have nothing in common. With their spiky exterior and green texture, they seem to be the same at first glance. That is in fact the only similarity.
On average, Jackfruits are much larger than Durians and are simple to discern. Durian is a member of the Mallow family, while Jackfruit is a member of the Mulberry family.
Overall, Jackfruits are more well-known and popular than Durians, and Durians are more usually mistaken for Jackfruit than vice versa.
Similarities Between Durian and Jackfruit
You may be surprised to learn that Jackfruit and Durian have very little in common. The climate in which it grows is the most prevalent commonality. To develop properly, both fruits need humid and hot climatic conditions.
As a result, both are most prevalent in Southeast Asian nations and are utilized in local cuisine. The physical look of the Jackfruit and Durian is the second commonality.
Both fruits are fairly huge, with Jackfruits weighing up to 50 kg and Durians weighing between 5 and 20 kg.
The exteriors of Durian and Jackfruit seem identical from afar. Both have a green spiky exterior and a delicate yellow fruit within. In addition, both fruits are high in fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
Differences Between Durian and Jackfruit
Following are some of the distinctions between Durian vs Jackfruit.
Plant and Growth
A Jackfruit tree is of a medium to large size that may reach a height of 8 to 25 meters. Jackfruit has a quick initial growth rate, growing up to 5 feet each year. When cut, the tree produces white milky latex and grows straight having green or black bark.
Jackfruit leaves are large, dark green, and flat. The fruits are affixed to the tree’s main stem and side branches. Each year, a fully developed Jackfruit may produce 10 to 200 Jackfruits.
Depending on the kind, Durian trees range in size from medium to tiny. The term Durian comes from a Malaysian word that means “fruit thorn.” It’s owing to the tree’s long spikes on the outside.
The Durian tree takes around five to seven years to begin producing fruit. Each season, each Durian plant produces around 15 to 800 fruits.
Fruit Size
The Jackfruit is a cylindrical or elliptical-shaped fruit that may grow to be 22-90 cm long and 13-50 cm wide. Smaller Jackfruits weigh between 2 and 20 kg, whereas larger Jackfruits may weigh up to 50 kg.
The Durian fruit weighs between 1 and 4 kilograms and is 14 to 18 centimeters in diameter. It may grow to be 19 to 32 cm long, although not as large as Jackfruits.
The aril is the edible component of the Durian. The Durian fruit is difficult to open while raw, but once mature, the fruit breaks open, revealing the seed within.
Exterior Appearance
Jackfruit comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, although it is most often oval, while Durian is more round. The oval form of the Jackfruit permits it to grow long and large, but the round shape of the Durian restricts its growth.
The outer spikes of both the Jackfruit and Durian are the next distinguishing feature. Both feature sharp spikes, while the Jackfruit’s spikes are tiny and blunt. The Durian’s spikes are big and fairly intense.
Due to the exteriors of these lengthy spikes, planters must be very cautious while harvesting Durians. Several incidents have been documented, including one that resulted in death while harvesting.
Pulp and Seed
Long seeds are found within both Jackfruit and Durian fruits, which are coated by soft mushy yellowish fibers. When fully mature, the Jackfruit has a brighter yellowish hue and a fragrant smell that covers the seeds.
The seed is firm and slick, and it resembles chestnuts. Jackfruit has a lot of seeds that are packed with vitamins and minerals.
Durian pulp is pale yellow or yellowish-green on the interior, semi-woody and textured. Because of its smooth and slippery interior, Durian must be handled with caution.
The seeds are divided into five compartments inside the fruit, each of which has a creamy white and yellowish pulp containing one to seven seeds which are chestnut-like.
The Durian seeds happen to be around 2 – 6 cm long and they have a gleaming red-brown covering.
Nutritional Value
Jackfruit is a rich source of nutrients, with high levels of iron, calcium, protein, and Thiamine in both the flesh and seeds. According to some research, ripe Jackfruit has more nutrients and vitamins than apples, avocados, or apricots.
Jackfruit is one of those few fruits that contains significant amounts of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), folic acid, riboflavin, and niacin, as well as a substantial number of B-complex vitamins.
Protein, fiber, and carbs are all abundant in Durian. The leaves and roots of the Durian contain a wide range of therapeutic characteristics and are used to treat malaria. Phlegm, colds, jaundice, and skin illness have all been treated using Durian herbal treatments.
Shelf-Life
Unless preservatives are applied, both Jackfruit and Durian have a limited shelf life. Due to the limited shelf life of ripe fruit, transporting it across extended distances from the source of production becomes challenging.
In a Jackfruit, about 60 percent of the fruit is inedible, with just 35% of the fruit being edible. Because Jackfruit has a shorter shelf life, it loses taste rapidly, making it less enticing to customers. For longer-term storage, most Jackfruits come in well sealed containers.
Durian does better than Jackfruit because it is smaller and can be carried in considerably bigger quantities and over longer distances. Durians are simpler to package since their form and size are more constant than Jackfruits. You may also purchase vacuum freeze-dried Durian pulp that hasn’t been treated with any preservatives.
Smell
Durian and Jackfruit have a pungent odor. Because of the huge quantity of sugar in its pulp, mature Jackfruit smells like bubblegum. It has a scent that is similar to a mix of pineapple, banana, and onion.
Durian has a distinct odor that distinguishes it from Jackfruit. When Durian is opened, it has a rotten egg or onion odor. This is due to the Durian’s high concentration of Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSC).
In fact, the odor of Durian is so offensive that it is prohibited in airports and hotels, as well as transportation and storage limitations.
Flowering and Fruit
Both Jackfruit and Durian thrive in tropical climates. The Jackfruit blossoms are small and sturdy, and they bloom not only on the tree’s huge branches but also on its trunk.
On the same tree, both male female flower parts grow. Female Jackfruit flowers are huge and have a thick outer coating, whilst male blooms are short and thin.
Durian flowers are brilliant yellow and resemble cherry blossoms. Pollen is discharged in clusters that cling to the female section of the flower during the pollination stage.
Unlike Jackfruit, which grows in bunches on the branches and trunk, Durian fruits are exclusively found on the branches.
How to Open Jackfruit?
You’ll need a sharp knife or some kind of cutting instrument to open the Jackfruit. If you have a ripe Jackfruit, you can open it by dragging the outside using your palm in the opposite way with your bare hands.
When you cut open an unripe Jackfruit, it contains a milky, sticky latex that pours out. The latex is really sticky, so you’ll need to apply oil to keep it from sticking when cutting.
To protect yourself from the spiky shell of the Jackfruit, cover it in a moist cloth before cutting it open.
Which One is Healthier?
Both Jackfruit and Durian are high in vitamins and minerals. When you eat Jackfruit, you receive extra vitamins and minerals, which helps you stay healthy.
Durian is more medicinal in nature, since it aids in the treatment of a variety of therapeutic diseases.
The following are some of the health advantages of Jackfruit.
- Improves vision: Jackfruit is high in vitamin A, lutein, beta-carotene, and zeaxanthin, all of which are beneficial to vision.
- Better digestion: Jackfruits are high in fiber, which helps with digestion.
- Boost immune system: The Jackfruit’s high vitamin and mineral content, as well as antioxidants, boosts the body’s capacity to fight colds and illnesses.
- Strengthen bone: The high calcium content in Jackfruits helps to strengthen and maintain bone health. When Jackfruit is used with a magnesium supplement, the body absorbs calcium more effectively. You can prevent calcium loss by taking supplements or eating potassium-rich foods like bananas, oranges, and apricots.
Health Benefits of Durian:
The following are some of the health advantages of Durian fruit.
- Improves cut and healing: Durian contains medicinal and therapeutic characteristics that help to improve the immune system and protect exposed wounds from infection.
- Reduce insomnia: Durian has a relaxing impact on the body, which helps to alleviate insomnia and relax the body when sleeping.
- Prevents medical condition: Durian possesses antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-cardiovascular, and anti-obesity effects, according to the Journal of Bioinformation. This reduces blood pressure and alleviates anxiety, tension, and depression symptoms.
What Do Durians and Jackfruit Taste Like?
When ripe, Jackfruit has a sweet flavor comparable to banana, mango, or pineapple. The Jackfruit seeds may also be eaten, and they taste like raw sunflower seeds. However, unripe Jackfruit has a potato-like flavor and is only consumed after it has been cooked.
Jackfruits don’t have a strong taste of their own, making them great for cooking since they absorb the flavors of spices, herbs, and other seasonings. Organic Jackfruit chips can also be purchased.
Durian is unlike other fruits. It is juicier and has a sweet and acidic taste. This gives it a foul, pungent odor. The flavor of Durian changes depending on how ripe the fruit is. Durian pulp has a creamy pudding-like flavor that is both sweet and salty.
Other Uses for Jackfruit and Durian
There are a few more applications for both Jackfruit and Durian that are worth noting.
Rind and wood can be used in the case of Durian.
Rind: The dried rinds may be used as a fire source, and fish can be hung in the smoke to impart a strong flavor. The ash can then be used to bleach silk.
Wood: The sapwood of the Durian tree is white, whereas the heartwood is a light red-brown color, soft and gritty, and not termite-resistant. Masts and the inside of huts are made of this wood.
The Jackfruit beats Durian when it comes to the number of other usages. The Jackfruit fruit, bark, rind, and tree may all be used in a variety of ways. Here are a few examples.
Fruit: Cattle are fed Jackfruit in certain areas. The Jackfruit tree is also placed in open pastures such that the animals may eat the fruit that falls to the ground. The rind of the Jackfruit may also be utilized as a source of stock food.
Leaves: Livestock devour the young Jackfruit leaves, which are fattening. The Jackfruit leaves are also used as food wrappers in India, and they may be knotted together to produce disposable plates.
Latex: The latex may be heated and then used as a homemade cement that comes handy in repairing broken chinaware and delicate crockery, as well as a waterproof sealer for boats and bucket holes.
Wood: Jackwood is a valuable wood that is termite-resistant and known to be resistant to fungal and bacterial deterioration. It is also used for furniture, building, masts, oars, utensils, and musical instruments, and has a wonderful texture and color that mimics mahogany.
Sharp tools are required to obtain a smooth surface; yet, the finish is coveted since it shines wonderfully.
When jack wood sawdust is cooked with alum, it produces a bright yellow dye that is used to color silk.
Bark: The bark is sometimes converted into rope or fabric strands.
Medicinal Uses of Durian and Jackfruit
- Durian fruit flesh is supposed to assist in the destruction and expulsion of worms and parasites.
- A person with a fever might also apply the Durian leaf’s juice to his or her head.
- For persons suffering from jaundice, the leaves may also be utilized in a bath.
- It’s also worth noting that boiling leaves and fruits may be used to treat swellings and aid in the treatment of skin problems.
- The indole chemicals in Durian flesh are assumed to be responsible for the scent, since they prevent germs from multiplying. Eating Durian is also said to help a sick person get well. The flesh of the Durian fruit is popularly regarded to be a powerful aphrodisiac.
- The pulp and seeds of the Jackfruit are regarded as tonics, cooling to the body and nourishing, as well as being beneficial for ‘hangovers,’ or overcoming the effects of alcohol on the human body.
- The starch from the seeds is used to treat indigestion, stomach problems, and constipation, and the roasted seeds are thought to be aphrodisiac. The ash collected from the burning of Jackfruit leaves with a coconut shell may be used to treat ulcers.
- The dried latex of the Jackfruit may be turned into a chemical that has a strong androgenic effect.
- When combined with vinegar, latex is supposed to assist in the healing of abscesses, snakebites, and glandular swellings.
- The Jackfruit’s root is known to help with skin problems and asthma. An extract made from the root of the Jackfruit may also be used to treat fever and diarrhea.
Nutrition Comparisons & Differences
The edible flesh of the Jackfruit has 74 percent water, 23 percent carbs, a healthy 2 percent protein, and barely 1 percent fat.
The carbohydrate portion is primarily sugars and is high in dietary fiber. The flesh or pulp of the fruit is thought to make up from 25% to 40% of the overall weight of the fruit.
A tiny 100-gram amount of raw Jackfruit delivers a healthy 95 calories and is a rich source of vitamin B6 (around 25 percent DV). The fruit has just a little quantity of vitamin C (between 10 and 19 percent of the daily value), as well as potassium, and no other major micronutrients.
Let’s take a look at the nutritional makeup of Durian fruit.
A raw Durian fruit is composed of 65 percent water, 27 percent carbs (including 4 percent nutritional fiber), a healthy 5 percent fat, and 1 percent protein.
Many people don’t link fruit with protein, however, as you can see, fruits like Jackfruit and Durian do contain tiny quantities of protein and have an amino acid profile that is easy to absorb.
A 100-gram quantity of raw Durian fruit or newly frozen fruit provides roughly 33% of your daily thiamine requirements, as well as fairly modest levels of numerous other B vitamins, vitamin C, and the mineral manganese.
Carbohydrate content varies between 16 and 29 percent, lipid content between 2 and 5 percent, protein level (made composed of amino acids) between 2 and 4 percent, and dietary fiber content between 1 and 4 percent in various Durian types.
The calorie count per 100 grams is a staggering 84kcal -185kcal. The beneficial oleic acid and palmitic acid are abundant in the fatty acid component of the Durian fruit flesh.
Given that an average Durian has 486 grams of edible pulp, one full Durian may provide somewhere between 410 and 900 calories, which is a large portion of your daily calorie needs, which is why we like this fruit. Because if we are on a fruit diet, we only need to consume a tiny quantity of this fruit in addition to all of my other fruits to obtain enough energy and calories to keep from being too slim.
Conclusion
Although Jackfruit and Durian have a similar appearance, they aren’t the same. There are a few distinctions between these two fruits. Whether you favor one fruit over the other, there is one thing that both fruits have in common: a high nutritious content.
The smell of Durian may turn some people off, but this is not the case with Jackfruit.
