Cempedak (Artocarpus integer)
Cempedak (Artocarpus integer syn. Artocarpus champeden, Artocarpus polyphema) is a species of fruiting tree in the family Moraceae, native to Southeast Asia. Cempedak tree is a vigorous growing, medium-sized tree, growing up to 15 m tall in low-lying rainforests. The leaves are dull green with brown hair. The trunk is smooth when young and become rough as it ages. The bark is used in production of the yellow dye used on the saffron-colored robes of Buddhist monks. Cempedak tree produces sausage-shaped fruit, 20-50 cm long, and 10-20 cm diameter. The fruit is smaller than jackfruit but much bigger than other types of fruits. Cempedak fruit is yellow, brown or green in color, and contains 100-150 bulbs. The outer skin is thin and leathery, and will ooze out white, gummy latex when cut. The latex problem can be overcome by applying cooking oil on the knife and hands before cutting and removing the bulbs. The flesh or pulp is yellow or orange, sweet, fibrous with strong aroma. Each bulb contains a kidney-shaped seed, which can be eaten cooked, boiled or roasted. Ripen cempedak flesh can be eaten fresh, or make into fritters and cakes, and can be salted to make a form of preserve.  Cempedak (Artocarpus integer) Author: Crux (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported) | ||
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