Jackfruit, the national fruit of Bangladesh

The Jackfruit (local Kathal) Jackfruit is the natonal fruit of Bangladesh, and is known as "kathal."It is grows all over in Bangladesh, mainly on the hilly area of Chittagong, Sylhet and on the highland of Gazipur, Mymensingha, Tangail, Comilla and Jessore. Jackfruit is native to parts of Southern and Southeast Asia. . It is widely cultivated in tropical regions Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Jackfruit is also found in East Africa, as well as Brazil and Caribbean nation like Jamaica.

Jackfruit is the largest tree-born fruit, reaching as much as 80 pounds (36 kg) in weight and up to 36 inches (90 cm) long and 20 inches (50 cm) in diameter.

Jackfruit can be eaten unripe (young) when cooked, or ripe uncooked. The seeds may be boiled or baked like beans.Ripe jackfruit is naturally sweet with subtle flavoring. It can be used to make a variety of dishes including custards, cakes, and more. Ripe jackfruit arils are sometimes seeded, fried and sold as jackfruit chips.

The flesh of the jackfruit is starchy, fibrous and is a source of dietary fiber. The flavor is similar to a tart banana. Varieties of jackfruit are distinguished according to the characteristics of the fruits' flesh, whose flesh has a consistency intermediate between the "hard" and "soft" varieties.