Can a fruit really be a meat alternative? Many say it can, and what’s more, it is about to top the popularity polls as the most popular plant-based foods in 2020.
Food professionals predict jackfruit will be the food on everyone’s plates and dinner tables in 2020 and in two separate surveys, jackfruit topped the polls as the food expected to explode on to the high-street restaurant scene next year.
Jackfruit was singled out from a list of ten tastes, picked by the food and growth experts at tastecard dining club. Other tastes to get tongues wagging in 2020 include turmeric, collard greens and goji berries.
The fig and breadfruit relative, often used as a meat alternative was the top choice of influencers and experts including chefs, catering specialists and food retail managers in the UK.
Foodies should look forward to seeing even more jackfruit appear on restaurant menus and with restaurant brands including Giraffe, PizzaExpress and Chiquito serving dishes including the fruit.
Available from every major supermarket, jackfruit can be used in traditional dishes including fishcakes, Sunday roasts and burgers; jackfruit hotpot anyone?
tastecard’s CMO, Anwar Sultan said:
The jackfruit trend is set to soar in 2020 with the ingredient being favoured for mainstream menus and served on dinner tables across the country. I’m really looking forward to seeing how restaurateurs, chefs and home-cooks experiment and incorporate jackfruit within everyday meals.
What is Jackfruit?
Jackfruit seeds
Jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world. It is related to the fig and breadfruit and originates in southwest India, where it grows abundantly. It can also be found in the East Indies, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. When ripe it has a natural yet subtle sweetness similar to mango or pineapple. Its seeds may be boiled, baked, or roasted and some say it has a chestnutty flavour. The seeds can even be ground into flour.
What is Taste of the Year?
Taste of the Year is part of tastecard’s annual trend report collected via thorough analysis of the restaurant industry, social media trends, consumer research and food expert insights.
Note: tastecard offers members 2 for 1 meals or 50% off food and at 6,000+ restaurants including PizzaExpress, YO!, Frankie & Benny’s, Beefeater Zizzi and more.