Чемпедак: Оңтүстік-Шығыс Азия жемісі

Asian tree related to breadfruit and jackfruit

Artocarpus integer, commonly known as chempedak or cempedak, is a species of tree in the family Moraceae, in the same genus as breadfruit and jackfruit. It is native to Southeast Asia. Cempedak is an important crop in Malaysia and is also popularly cultivated in southern Thailand and parts of Indonesia, and has the potential to be utilized in other areas. It is currently limited in range to Southeast Asia, with some trees in Australia and Hawaii. The thin and leathery skin is greenish, yellowish to brownish in color, and patterned with pentagons that are either raised protuberances or flat eye facets. Fleshy, edible arils surround the large seeds in a thick layer. The arils are edible raw, or they can be prepared in a number of ways. They are yellowish white to orange in color, sweet and fragrant, soft, slippery and slimy on the tongue and slightly fibrous. Ripe cempedak fruit has a pungent smell that has been described as harsh and penetrating like that of durian.

Cempedak trees are normally planted in non eroded and well drained soils, although they can tolerate temporary flooding. They can be grown from sea level to altitude at temperatures between and with annual rainfall of .

In the Malay Archipelago, cempedak is usually cultivated with other fruit trees in mixed orchard systems of small farmers and occasionally in large fruit plantations. The trees are normally propagated by bud grafting to maintain desired genetic traits. Plants are also propagated by seed, but the seeds spoil quickly after removal from the fruit, so they must be planted immediately after cleaning.

Trees begin to bear fruit at 3–6 years for trees planted by seed and at 2–4 years for clonal trees. Blossoms are common from February to April and then again in August to October in southern Malaysia, as opposed to in western Java, where cempedak tend to flower in July and August. From flowering to ripening fruit takes about 2–4 months.

The timing of harvest is critical in assuring fruit quality. One of the most reliable ways to determine the maturity of cempedak is to tap the fruit and listen for a dull hollow sound. Skin color can also be an indicator of maturity, as ripened skins turn from green to a yellower color. The development of a characteristic odor similar to that of durian can also mark maturity of the fruit, in addition to the spines of the fruits' skin becoming flattened. Fruit are harvested ideally before falling to avoid damage, loss of shelf life and premature ripening. The harvested fruit produces a latex exudate, and is left to drain in the field before being moved from the orchard. The fruit has a short shelf life of 2–3 days.

Cempedak is sought after for its edible, pulpy flesh that is typically yellow/orange and rich in beta carotene. It has a sweetly unique flavor akin to that of durian and mango. The fruit is normally consumed in the areas where it is cultivated and can be eaten fresh or cooked. The large fruit are often cut open and sliced into pieces for sale. The seeds can be fried, boiled or grilled, then peeled and eaten with salt. The taste of the seeds is similar to water chestnuts. The young fruit, like young jackfruit, can be used as a vegetable. In this case, the young fruit is peeled, sliced and boiled, then sometimes seasoned or added as an ingredient to other foods, such as curries. In South and East Kalimantan, Indonesia, people historically consume cempedak's lactic acid bacteria fermented inner skin, traditionally termed dami or mandai. The skin can be processed by peeling the fruit until it looks white, then fermenting the inner skin. Mandai is usually consumed after frying. The wood is of good quality, strong and durable, and used as building material for home furnishings or boats. The fibrous bark can be used to make ropes. Yellow dye can also be produced from the wood.