Breadfruit

Breadfruit

Breadfruit is a special kind of fruit that grows on big trees. It belongs to the same family as jackfruit. People first grew breadfruit a long time ago in places like New Guinea, the Maluku Islands, and the Philippines. From there, it traveled to many warm places around the world.

The fruit looks like a big ball and can be round, oval, or long. When cooked, it tastes a bit like potatoes or fresh bread, which is why it is called breadfruit. One tree can make up to 200 fruits each season! Breadfruit grows best in warm, tropical areas and can grow up to 26 meters tall.

People grow breadfruit in about 90 countries. You can find it in South and Southeast Asia, the Pacific islands, the Caribbean, Central America, and Africa. In many places, breadfruit is a very important food. It can be roasted, baked, fried, or boiled. Some people even eat it raw or make it into flour.

Besides food, breadfruit trees are useful in other ways. The wood is light and strong, so people use it to make furniture, houses, and even surfboards. The tree also makes a special white liquid that can help fill gaps in boats.

Breadfruit has many names depending on where it grows. In the Philippines, it is called rimas or kolo. In Hawaii, people sometimes use breadfruit to make a special food called "breadfruit poi." This fruit has traveled far and wide, brought by people who needed food and materials. Today, breadfruit is enjoyed all over the world for its tasty fruit and useful wood.