英国创业项目用菠萝蜜替代猪肉

An exotic fruit that tastes like pork and gives off a putrid* smell could save millions from starvation*.

The “miracle crop,” known as a jackfruit*, is the biggest tree-borne fruit in the world and grows in south and southeast Asia.

A single fruit, which can weigh between 4.5 and 45 kilograms, houses hundreds of seeds that are rich in nutritious calcium*, protein, iron and potassium*. One fruit can be enough to feed a family for an entire meal. Researchers suggest the crop could replace wheat and corn, which are threatened by climate change.

Now, a pair of graduates based in Birmingham are attempting to break the food market with the jackfruit by selling it as a healthy pork alternative*.

“Project Jackfruit” was started by entrepreneurs* Jordan Grayson and Abi Robertson. The pair sell prepared portions of jackfruit sourced from India, with flavors including barbecue and satay.

The crop is exceptionally* popular in Bangladesh and other Asian nations, but Grayson and Robertson admit it may take the public some getting used to.

“Some people seem very nervous about it but once they’ve been tempted and tried it they can’t believe it,” said Robertson.

“It’s way better for you than meat, plus it’s one of your five a day. I think we’d consider it the ‘forgotten fruit.’”

A crowdfunding campaign made over US$9,230 for the project in October 2017, allowing the pair to begin manufacturing their product in India.

Project Jackfruit sells 300-gram pouches of their Jackfruit mixes for US$6.9, which it says divide into four portions.

(SD-Agencies)