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With plant-based diets growing so quickly, jackfruit has become a staple in meat alternative meal offerings and has expanded beyond canned jackfruit and jackfruit chips. This huge relative of the breadfruit and the fig can weigh up to 100 pounds, which is how it earned its reputation as the world’s largest fruit. Since 2014, jackfruit flavored new products are growing globally with 177% growth. Asia Pacific is the key region for growth with 71% of all new products, but it’s no surprise that North America is showing 200% growth in the past year. Let’s take a closer look at the various forms of jackfruit on the menu, in social media, and in new products.

Jackfruit Social Listening Summary

We conducted a social listening analysis on jackfruit covering the previous six months. An overview is provided below.

30 mentions per hour; 70% female voice

Keywords: tacos, burger, amazing, delicious

Key Consumer Interests: 76% food & drinks; 55% desserts & baking; 28% cooking

Top Posts

Instagram: Recipe for jackfruit sliders using Bone Suckin’ Sauce

Instagram: @sam_eyeam posted “These jackfruit keep getting better and better. Never a filter to show you the beauty the picture has captured.”

14 recipes on food.com

On Food.com, 14 recipes appear when you search for jackfruit. Recipes include jackfruit sliders, BBQ jackfruit sandwiches, jackfruit tacos, jackfruit smoothies, fruit salad and a cassava and jackfruit cake.

Jackfruit: Flavor of the Month, but for All the Wrong Reasons.

In the June/July 2019 issue of The Economist, they discuss how jackfruit is the flavor of the month, but for all the wrong reasons. Based on how jackfruit is tastier when fried instead of as a pulled pork like, they are recommending that jackfruit is better approached as a novel variety of vegetable, than a meat substitute.

Jackfruit on the Menu: Q3 2018-Q3 2019

102 Jackfruit Mentions on the Menu

Fine Dining is the top restaurant segment, with entrée, small plates and salads the top three menu sections with the most jackfruit-flavored items. Entrées account for 59% of all jackfruit-flavored menu items.

Menu Mentions:

• Tamales Waffles Jackfruit al Pastor includes a baked tamale dough into a waffle and is topped with a sweet and spicy jackfruit al pastor, fresh pineapple, cumin-spiced crema, avocado and cilantro at Native Foods Café in Los Angeles, CA.
• Sunda Sundae (at Sunda in Chicago, IL) includes scoops of avocado, sweet corn and cheddar cheese, and ube-macapuno ice cream. Atop, sweet red mung beans, jackfruit, berries, coconut gel, plus a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk and toasted coconut flakes to round it out.

“River North’s Southeast Asian eatery Sunda is offering an exotic take on the classic sundae.” Eater Chicago

Jackfruit Global New Product Introductions 2014-2019

281 jackfruit flavored new product introductions

Global Fast Facts:

• ASIA PACIFIC is the top global region for jackfruit new product introductions with 71% of all new products.
• FRUIT SNACKS is the top product sub-category globally for jackfruit flavored new products.
• CURRY is the top flavor paired with jackfruit.

• Essential Trading Tortellini with Jackfruit, Courgette & Basil: Vegan and Organic includes 100% vegetable tortellini made from the best local organic ingredients and Italian durum wheat. | UK
• Coop Jackfruit in a BBQ Marmalade: Contains 70% jackfruit and described to have a firm consistency and perfect for curries, long-cooked stews and wok-based meals. | Switzerland
• Nola Pandan Jackfruit Flavored Granola Chips: Described as a baked, crunchy, crispy and healthy snack, which is high in fiber and protein. | Indonesia

Jackfruit North America New Product Introductions 2014-2019

13 jackfruit flavored new product introductions

North America Fast Facts: 

• NORTH AMERICA accounts for 5% of all jackfruit flavored new product introductions.
• MEAT SUBSTITUTES is the top product sub-category for jackfruit flavored new products.
• THAI is the top flavor paired with jackfruit.

• Trader Joe’s Vegan Jackfruit Cakes: Described as crabless cakes that have the textures and flavors of seafood-based cakes but are made with all vegan ingredients. 20% of consumers responded that they likely or definitely would purchase this product, significantly underperforming its subcategory. |USA
• Aldi Vita Life Raspberry, Guava & Jackfruit Vitamin Water: Contains 110% of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D and essential B vitamins plus potassium, calcium and glucosamine. 37% of consumers responded that they likely or definitely would purchase this product, significantly outperforming its subcategory. | USA
• Trader Joe’s Yellow Jackfruit Curry with Jasmine Rice: An authentic coconut milk based Thai yellow curry which is loaded with flavor, has a moderate amount of heat, and contains chunks of artichoke, jackfruit, eggplant and red bell peppers. Only 34% of consumers responded that they likely or definitely would purchase this product, significantly underperforming its subcategory. | USA

The Takeaways

The interest in jackfruit is making its way to North America through meat alternative offerings. For those posting about jackfruit on social media: key interests are food & drink, desserts & baking and cooking. This distinct flavor profile adds a unique character to dishes beyond pulled jackfruit including smoothies, flavored waters and fruit snacks. The question is: is jackfruit on your Flavor Radar?

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Sources in full report