Breadnut, Chataigne (Artocarpus camansi Blanco) x1 Plant
 
Plant Size : 8"- 10" Inches
 
The breadnut or chataigne (Artocarpus camansi Blanco) qualifies as a commodity with a unique flavour, high fibre content, high percentage of complex carbohydrates and the ability to be utilized in a myriad of ways. Further, with its current use in ethnic cuisine and in traditional medicine, it is expected that it will increase in importance as an item in international trade. The breadnut is a member of the Moracaeae family, which consists of nearly fifty species of trees all native of Southeastern Asia and the Pacific islands. The fruit is a syncarp, with its rind covered with fleshly prickles or spines. It has a fibrous core with 50 to 100 nut-like seeds embedded in a white, flaky and spongy-like pulp. The fruit is highly perishable with a shelf life of not more than two days under ambient conditions. The breadnut rapidly transforms when harvested mature green. After two days it has a very soft texture, the milky-white seed develops a brown net-like hard rind while the flesh changes from a white colour to a light yellow colour. The fruit is very chilling sensitive. The combined effects of rapid softening and high susceptibility to chilling injury contribute immensely to its short shelf life. The leaves can be used as a forage for animals.