Artocarpus integer

Artocarpus integer
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Moraceae
Genus:	Artocarpus
Species:	A. integer
Binomial name
	Artocarpus integer; Spreng.
Synonyms
	Artocarpus champeden (Thunb.) Merr.; Artocarpus polyphema Pers.;

Artocarpus integer, commonly known as cempedak (pronounced "chem-pe-da"), is a species of tree in the family Moraceae, and in the same genus as breadfruit and jackfruit. It is native to southeast Asia, especially from Malaysia and can be found in Indonesia to the island of New Guinea. Furthermore, the tree has also been introduced to Queensland.

Description

Cempedak trees are large, evergreen trees. They can grow to a height of 20 m, although most only reach a dozen meters. The trees are monoecious, with male and female flowers growing on the same tree. There are many varieties, although few are named. The vigorously growing tree can bear heavy crops of fruit once or twice a year.

Fruit

The syncarp may be cylindrical to spherical in shape, and ranges from 10 to 15 cm across and 20 to 35 cm in length.^[1] The thin and leathery skin is greenish, yellowish to brownish in color, and patterned with pentagons that are either raised protuberances or flat eye facets.

The fleshy, edible arils surround the large seeds in a thick layer. These arils are edible by boiling or roasting. Arils are yellowish-white to orange in color, sweet and fragrant, soft, slippery and slimy on the tongue and a bit fibrous. The taste of the fruit is similar to the related jackfruit and breadfruit with a hint of durian. The seeds are flattened spheres or elongated, about 2–3 cm in length.

Uses

The fruit is consumed in its native area, can be eaten fresh or cooked. The seeds can be fried, boiled or grilled, then peeled and eaten with salt. The taste is similar to water chestnuts. The young fruit, like young jackfruit, can be used as a vegetable.^[1] In Borneo, the skin of the cempedak can be processed into food called mandai made by peeling the fruit until it looks white, then soaking it in brine to preserve and soften the texture. Mandai is usually consumed after frying.^[1]

The wood is of good quality, strong and durable, and used as building material for home furnishings or boats. The fibrous bark can be used to make ropes. Yellow dye can also be produced from the wood.^[1]

Gallery

Matured Cempedak ready to be harvested	Cempedak fruit on tree	Whole cempedak fruit
Cempedak fruit - whole and sliced	Cempedak fruit cut open	Cempedak fruit cut open
Cempedak on sale in Chinese market.	Cempedak on sale at roadside in East Kalimantan, Indonesia	A cempedak fruit stall

References

1 2 3 4 Jansen, P.C.M. 1997. Artocarpus integer (Thunb.) Merr. dalam Verheij, E.W.M. dan R.E. Coronel (eds.). Sumber Daya Nabati Asia Tenggara 2: Buah-buahan yang dapat dimakan. PROSEA – Gramedia. Jakarta. ISBN 978-979-511-672-1.

External links

For more information, see "Fruits of the Future: Chempedak" by David K. Chandlee

Fruits Technology of cempedak

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[Jansen-1] 1 2 3 4 Jansen, P.C.M. 1997. Artocarpus integer (Thunb.) Merr. dalam Verheij, E.W.M. dan R.E. Coronel (eds.). Sumber Daya Nabati Asia Tenggara 2: Buah-buahan yang dapat dimakan. PROSEA – Gramedia. Jakarta. ISBN 978-979-511-672-1.