Cempedak Vs Jackfruit: What The Heck Is The Difference?
If you've always wondered what cempedak is called in English.
By Tamara Jayne — 23 Jul 2021, 06:07 PM
Both fruits look awfully identical to each other, which often causes confusion.
But there are several differences between the two.
For starters, cempedak is generally much smaller than jackfruit
Although both have a slightly spiky outer layer, their shapes are also sometimes different.
Jackfruit, also known as nangka in Malaysia, is usually huge and oval in shape. While cempedak is tubular as well, it can look slightly rounder and bulgier at times, like a ball that has been partially squished.
A cempedak fruit's size can range from 10cm to 15cm in diameter and 20cm to 35cm in length. Meanwhile, a jackfruit can range from 15cm to 50cm in diameter and 30cm to 100cm in length!
When ripe, both of the fruits' flesh have similar colours, ranging from pale yellow to a slightly orange tone.
But compared to jackfruit, cempedak flesh is slightly sweeter, aromatic, and fibrous.
Native to Southeast Asia and several other tropical countries, cempedak fruit can be eaten on its own, like jackfruit, or is often enjoyed deep fried as fritters.
I mean, what's not to love about cempedak goreng?
Cempedak seeds may be smaller, but one thing the fruits have in common is that both seeds can be boiled and eaten as well.
So now the question is, if jackfruit is called nangka in Bahasa Melayu, what is cempedak called in English?
There's no English equivalent for the fruit's name. Unless you want to get scientific and call it 'Artocarpus integer'.
TL;DR: Although both fruits are similar in many ways, they also have their differences in shape, size, texture, and taste. Either way, they're both yummy!
