Durian VS Jackfruit: What Are Their Differences and Similarities?

Sharing is caring!

We have often been asked this question because at first glance these two fruits look very similar. Especially to those who are not familiar with these fruits. But if you look closer, you will see that they are not really similar to each other. And you will notice a lot of differences. 

And I hope that by the end of this, you will be able to tell them apart.

Similarities

• Durian and Jackfruit both grow on a medium to a large tree. Both have the same green and hard skin with bright yellow to orange edible flesh underneath. Both contain seeds, some even several, wrapped in edible flesh. 

• The hot and humid climate of Southeast Asia is a very perfect place for the propagation of these two fruits.

• They are famous because they are both considered as king-sized exotic fruits

• Sweet when ripe and can be cooked as a vegetable dish when raw.

• Both are prohibited in most public places, you’re not allowed to take the durian at the airport, not because of its sharp spines, but because of its unpleasant smell, and there are also places where the jackfruit is banned, thanks to its strong smell.

• They are both famous because of their unique and specific smell and taste. 

• They are both good sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. 

Differences:

Let’s find out, how they differ in taste, textures, size, and even in origin;

Origin

Durian is believed to have originated in Sumatra and Borneo and only became known in Europe within the 15th century, while jackfruit has been native to the western part of the Ghats in southern India for over 5000 years.

Botany

Although both grow on trees, durian trees are much taller than jackfruit trees. Durian trees can grow up to 150 feet tall, while jackfruit trees can only grow up to 80 feet tall when they are at their tallest.

A mature jackfruit can produce 10 to 200 annually. Each durian plant produces 15 to 800 fruits each season. 

The durian grows only on the branches of its trees, while the jackfruit grows on or near the trunk. 

The durian belongs to the mallow family or Malvacae, while the jackfruit belongs to the Morocae family, which is related to the mulberry and the fig family.

Appearance

At first glance, they look very similar, but if you look closely you will notice that the skin of the durian fruit is very hard and covered with spines that can hurt you if you do not handle it properly, while the jackfruit also has a hard skin but is not as spiny as the durian and will not hurt or sting you. It is more pebbly or bumpy or like the skin of an alligator. 

The skin of the durian fruit has seams along with the hard outer shell that you have to track down and slice open to open, while you can simply cut the jackfruit in half with a knife.

They both have an elongated or oval fruit shape, but the durian fruit tends to be slightly rounder than the jackfruit. They have both oblong or oval shape fruit, but durian fruit tends to be a bit rounder than jackfruit. 

After peeling, durian flesh consists of at least 5 compartments of pods surrounding a seed, while jackfruit, when opened, has several bulbous shapes containing an inch-long oval seed surrounded by edible fruit.

Taste and Texture

Because of its more than two hundred different varieties, durian can be sweet or bittersweet depending on the variety, but it also has a savory flavor with a creamy base aroma. The taste is so unique that once you get past the pungent smell, you will not be able to stop eating and will be asking for more. However, jackfruit has a very intense sweet flavor that is reminiscent of banana and pineapple. . Its bulbs are sweet and crunchy. 

When sliced whole, durian has a creamy, custard-like texture, while jackfruit is very dense, fibrous, and not juicy. The seeds of the jackfruit are also edible, you can boil or roast the seed, and with give you a milky flavor. 

The inside of jackfruit is messy, the edible parts are interspersed with slimy and stringy fibers. In addition, a stinky and rubbery white milky juice flows from the skin and pit. The inside of durian is well organized, the edible parts are concentrated in its 5 compartments, and you can easily get to the flesh because there is no rubbery milky juice.

Nutritional Value

Vitamin comparison

Durian is extremely rich in vitamins B1 and B2, slightly richer in vitamin B9, vitamin B3 and vitamin C, about 15%-24% of your daily requirement, and at least 33% thiamine per 100 grams of this fruit daily. Jackfruit, on the other hand, contains more vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B5, and vitamin B6, about 25% of your daily requirement, just over 95 kcal of energy, and between 10-19% vitamin C per 100 grams of jackfruit daily.

Macronutrients comparison

Although durian is higher in fiber and has a lower glycemic index, jackfruit meanwhile is low in calories, fats, and carbs. 

Mineral comparison

Durian has significantly higher levels of copper and moderately higher levels of zinc, iron, and phosphorus. Jackfruit, on the other hand, contains more calcium and potassium.

Health Benefits

Although durian is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, it also provides more medicinal benefits that can help you with some therapeutic ailments. While on the other hand, eating jackfruit provides you with more vitamins and minerals that protect you from certain diseases

Health benefits of durian

Improves cut and healing durian has medicinal and therapeutic properties that strengthen the immune system and prevent infection of an open wound. When you drink the juice of durian leaves, it helps reduce fever. The leaves can also be used in a bath with a person suffering from jaundice. Cooked leaves and fruit can also be antiseptic when applied to swellings and also help with some skin conditions.

Reduce insomnia: Durian has a calming effect on the body, which reduces insomnia and makes the body relax better during sleep.

It can prevent some medical conditions:  Durian has antioxidant, anti-cancer (in some clinical studies), cardiovascular, diabetic, and anti-obesity properties. It can help to normalize blood pressure levels and lessen symptoms of stress and depression.

Health benefits of jackfruit:

Improves vision: jackfruit contains the right amount of vitamin A, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which support the vision.

Better digestion: Jackfruits are a good source of fiber, which improves digestion. 

Strengthens the immune system: the high levels of vitamins and minerals in jackfruit, as well as antioxidants, increase the body’s ability to fight off colds and illnesses.

Strengthens the bones A large amount of calcium in jackfruit makes bones strong and healthy. Eating jackfruits with added magnesium helps the body absorb calcium better. To prevent the loss of calcium, you can take supplements or foods rich in potassium such as bananas, oranges, or apricots.

Other uses

There are other uses for durian and jackfruit that are worth mentioning. However, in this section, it is clear that jackfruit is more useful than durian because of the many other uses of its parts.

Durian bark and wood can be used for the following:

Bark: Once the bark is dried, you can use it to hang fish in smoke to create a strong aroma that enhances the flavor of the fish. You can also use the rind to bleach silk.

Wood:  it can be used as a construction material for building nipa huts.

Jackfruit’s fruit, peel, bark, and tree body parts can be used for the following:

Fruit In some places where jackfruit is abundant, cattle are fed on jackfruit. They planted the tree in an open pasture so that the cattle can eat the falling fruit.

Peel: The bark of the jackfruit is used as a good source of cattle feed.

Leaves: The fallen leaves of young jackfruit are an ideal feed for fattening animals as they help them reach their proper weight. In India, the leaves are also used as food packaging and as a sustainable plate by tying the leaves together to make a disposable plate.

Latex: when heated and used as homemade cement to repair and mend broken china and fragile earthenware, and as a waterproof sealant for boats and holes in buckets.

Wood: jackwood is an important wood that is reliably resistant to termites and fungal and bacterial attacks. It also has a beautiful grain and color similar to mahogany and is used for furniture, structures, masts, oars, equipment, and musical instruments. Sawdust, in turn, when boiled with alum, becomes a rich yellow dye that can be used to dye silk.

Bark: The bark can also be made into rope or cloth.

Conclusion

Durian and jackfruit may look alike, but they are not the same. We have learned some differences between these two fruits. Whether you prefer one fruit over the other, the one thing they both have in common is the high nutritional content of both fruits. Both are delicious and both are good for you.