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KERALA JACKFRUIT POWDER |
How Jackfruit Powder is Made in Kerala
The process of making jackfruit powder in Kerala involves several steps, primarily focusing on utilizing raw or unripe jackfruit. Here's a breakdown of the process, combining information from various sources:
Selection of Raw Jackfruit: The process begins with selecting mature, raw jackfruit. This is crucial because ripe jackfruit may not dry properly. The raw jackfruit is also known as "pacha chakka" or "kathal".
Preparation: The raw jackfruit is cleaned and prepared for processing. This involves cutting the jackfruit open and removing the sap. The bulbs (the edible parts) are separated, and the seeds are removed.
Steaming: The chopped jackfruit bulbs are steamed for a short period, typically 5-7 minutes, until they are slightly wilted. This step helps to soften the jackfruit and prepare it for drying.
Drying: The steamed jackfruit pieces are spread evenly on a clean cloth and exposed to sunlight for several days, usually 3-4 days, until they become completely dry and crisp. It's important to ensure even spreading and to bring the pieces inside under a fan at night, especially during the initial drying days, to prevent moisture buildup and potential spoilage. Alternative drying methods like air frying or baking in a low-temperature oven can also be used, although sun drying is common in Kerala due to the abundance of sunlight during jackfruit season.
Grinding: Once the jackfruit pieces are completely dry, they are ground into a fine powder. It's recommended to grind the dried pieces in small batches to maintain freshness.
Storage: The jackfruit powder is then stored in airtight containers to preserve its quality and prevent moisture absorption. The dried jackfruit pieces can be stored for over a year, while the powder may not stay good for long.
Value Addition: The jackfruit powder can be used as an ingredient in various dishes, such as upma, rotis, parathas, idlis, and dosas, as a healthy substitute for grains. It can also be mixed with other flours to make low-carb, healthy rotis, dosa, appam, idli, and puttu.
The process described above is a traditional method. However, there are also commercial methods. For example, Jackfruit365 uses a patented method to process jackfruit into flour, retaining its soluble fiber and maintaining global hygiene standards.
The Kerala State Agriculture Department is also boosting the processing of jackfruit, which officially became the State fruit in 2018. The department has a scheme for the development of fruits, flowers, and medicinal plants, which includes a processing center.
The process involves selecting mature raw jackfruit, preparing the bulbs, steaming them, drying them completely, and then grinding them into a powder.
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