Jackfruit!

Having been back in Malaysia recently, I find myself desperately craving jackfruit - it didn't help that I also had a tasty jackfruit smoothie from Joy Yee's last weekend while in Chinatown. Anyone know where I might be able to find some (fresh or even frozen)?

PS: If you know where I can find other fresh tropical fruits (mangosteens, rambutans, lychees, longans, etc), fire away too!

Puppy wrote:Having been back in Malaysia recently, I find myself desperately craving jackfruit - it didn't help that I also had a tasty jackfruit smoothie from Joy Yee's last weekend while in Chinatown. Anyone know where I might be able to find some (fresh or even frozen)?

PS: If you know where I can find other fresh tropical fruits (mangosteens, rambutans, lychees, longans, etc), fire away too!

Does Joy Yee's use fresh jackfruit? (I know they use other fresh fruits for their smoothies.) I think I've only ever seen jarred jackfruit in syrup around Chicago (Argyle, Filipino stores, etc). For fresh, my best guess would be H Mart. If anyone'll have it, they will--same with the other fruit you're wondering about. I know fresh lychees are readily available at the sources for jarred jackfruit I mention above.

Super H Mart
7801 N Waukegan Rd
Niles, IL 60714
847-581-1212
www.hmart.com

I know that Whole Foods has fresh lychees when they're available.

I've only ever seen jackfruit canned in the area but it's possible I've missed it.

happy_stomach wrote:Does Joy Yee's use fresh jackfruit? (I know they use other fresh fruits for their smoothies.)

From where I was standing, it looked like it. They were in the same little containers they keep all their other fruit in. Thanks for the info!

Puppy wrote:

happy_stomach wrote:Does Joy Yee's use fresh jackfruit? (I know they use other fresh fruits for their smoothies.)

From where I was standing, it looked like it. They were in the same little containers they keep all their other fruit in. Thanks for the info!

I didn't think it was time for (ripe) jackfruit. Could the containers have had the contents of canned jackfruit? I've seen ripe jackfruit in stores on and near Argyle (but later on in the year late Spring, Summer IIRC). I've seen frozen ripe jackfruit as well in small bags.
How recent was your trip to Malaysia, was (ripe) jackfruit in season then?

sazerac wrote:I didn't think it was time for (ripe) jackfruit. Could the containers have had the contents of canned jackfruit? I've seen ripe jackfruit in stores on and near Argyle (but later on in the year late Spring, Summer IIRC). I've seen frozen ripe jackfruit as well in small bags.
How recent was your trip to Malaysia, was (ripe) jackfruit in season then?

I was back about 1.5 months ago, and it was in season. I think they actually grow and harvest it year-round in the tropics, because I don't ever remember NOT being able to get it. That being said, Joy's could have been canned... I have no experience with canned jackfruit at all . I love the frozen ones though, they're just like popsicles

I think you'll find a few of them right here:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=17347

(4th picture down)

I've seen packages of cut-up jackfruit pieces in the freezer section at various stores on Argyle. Not usually in the freezers with doors, but in the open freezer "islands." If that doesn't make any sense, I'll try to post pictures at some point.

There's a green grocer on Devon a few doors from Patel brothers (sorry, I can't recall the name, not enough coffee in me yet, but the one on the corner with the green awning) - they have fresh lychees in season, as well as several varieties of mangos. They are also a good source for fresh figs (green & black). Prices are very reasonable.

I've not noticed fresh jackfruit, but that's because I don't buy it, they may well carry this (they certainly carry frozen & tinned). I'm pretty certain I've seen longan & durian there too, plus they carry green coconut to drink. I believe you won't find mangosteen in Chicago - IIRC its only recently become available in the US & only in NY & LA.

Actually mangosteen is available here . . . there's a thread on it.

I had never even heard of Jack Fruit until yesterday when my 7 year old asked the woman behind the counter at Joy Yee what Jack Fruit is. She handed us a big can of Jack Fruit and pointed to the cut up pieces in the fruit bar thing. (So that answers the question of whether or not Joy Yee uses canned Jack Fruit). But I will say, it made a tasty smoothie, even if canned. I'd love to taste it fresh.