Young Breadfruit Tree
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a versatile tropical staple native to the South Pacific that has become integral to Caribbean cuisine since its introduction by Captain Bligh. Although botanically a fruit, its starchy texture makes it a culinary vegetable, enjoyed in a variety of dishes after cooking.
Young Breadfruit Tree
Developing Breadfruit
Description and Growth
Breadfruit trees are monoecious, bearing both male and female flowers. The male flowers bloom first, followed by the female blossoms that develop into a large capitulum. Within three days, pollination—primarily by Old World fruit bats (Family Pteropodidae)—ensues. The fruit itself is a compound structure, forming from a swollen perianth that aggregates between 1,500 to 2,000 individual flowers, visible as distinctive hexagonal disks on its skin.
Fried Breadfruit
Breadfruit Being Roasted
Yield and Productivity
Breadfruit is celebrated for its impressive yield. A single tree can produce up to 200 fruits in a season, though actual numbers vary by region. In the South Pacific, yields generally range from 50 to 150 fruits annually, while southern India may see 150 to 200 fruits per year. In the West Indies, an average tree might bear around 25 fruits. Some studies in Barbados suggest potential yields of 6.7 to 13.4 tons per acre (16-32 tons/ha), though such figures are often debated. Each grapefruit-sized, ovoid fruit boasts a rough surface and is composed of numerous achenes encased in a fleshy perianth on a soft receptacle; select cultivars even produce seedless varieties.
Inside a Roasted Breadfruit
Culinary Uses
Breadfruit has long been a dietary cornerstone in tropical regions. Early Polynesian voyagers spread this versatile plant far beyond its native range by transporting root cuttings and air-layered specimens across vast oceans. Rich in starch, breadfruit must be cooked—whether roasted, baked, fried, or boiled—to transform its dense texture into a delightful, potato-like or freshly baked bread flavor.
Breadfruit For Boiling
Breadfruit trees produce abundant harvests during specific seasons, with some varieties yielding a modest crop throughout the year. Once cooked, the fruit can be enjoyed on its own or transformed into an array of delicious dishes.
Breadfruit Prepared to be Boiled
Breadfruit Recipes
