I opened the package and dumped it into a pan to heat. There were some bits that were stringy looking (like pulled pork), and some chunks (that somewhat stringed up when I broke them with a spoon). There was a lot of sauce. I heated it up and tasted a bit right out the pan before making a sandwich. I'd EXPECTED a stringy texture, like what I remember pork having (keep in mind, it's been many moons since I've had pork...). Instead, it seemed very soft and even a bit "mushy" (except the occasional chunk that had a bit more firmness). The sauce was sweet and slightly smokey. The jackfruit had no discernible taste beyond the sauce, which was something I'd been worried about.
I'd recommend using this product as an occasional treat, unless consuming with nutrient-rich foods. Though it is low in fat (2g) and VERY high in fibre (7g in 1/2C), it has little else. Protein comes in at 2g per half-cup serving. and there's 6% dv of Calcium and Iron. However, the amount of Potassium is impressive (345mg per 1/2C). While at 220mg, sodium is very reasonable for a processed food.
In short, it does taste pretty good and provides a lot of fibre and Potassium. At 90 calories per serving, it's diet-friendly The texture (while not off-putting) isn't quite what one would expect from it's appearance. Still, it's an unique product and definitely worth a try, especially if you miss pulled pork.
Curried Jackfruit
Now THIS had the texture I was expecting....firm and a bit chewy, with a hint of stringiness. The chunks were slightly larger than with the BBQ, and I left them that way as I heated them (which could account for the better texture).
The seasonings were so perfectly blended! There was enough heat to make me take notice, but not enough to be overwhelming. A hint of sweetness and a bit of an earthy taste, with a tanginess that balanced everything out. In short, it was delicious both alone and over rice!
Nutritionally, it's not much different than the BBQ. Perhaps a bit more fat at 3.5g (but still low). Only a few more calories (95 per serving) than the BBQ. And 9g fibre in 1/2 C! Potassium is higher (at 390mg) and so is calcium (8% dv). Protein is the same 2g. Sodium is 310mg per 1/2 C, which accounts for 13% of the recommended maximum intake....not too bad!
I think this is my favourite of all.
Tex-Mex Jackfruit
Right out of the pouch, this one had GIANT chunks. I broke them up into strings (using my fingers), leaving a few small chunks for texture. Once heated, I tasted a little bit. It had slight texture (what I imagine shredded meat cooked in a slow cooker might have). The taste was savoury, with a hint of heat. The seasonings basically give it the same taste a "taco seasoning blend" with a very small amount of cayenne added would.
I used some in soft tacos (flour tortillas, not corn. For shame! lol). I added on my toppings. Took a bite. The subtle heat had disappeared entirely, and I ended up adding a few dashes of hot sauce (as mentioned previously, I do like my spicy foods!). But the "taco meat" taste remained. The texture didn't really stand out like some meat substitutes do, but that was perfectly okay in tacos. I look forward to thinking of a way to use the leftovers (Jackfruit is VERY filling!).
Nutritionally? Compared to the others I've tried, this is the lowest fat of the three (1g per 1/2 C), and lowest in calories (50) too. Fibre weighs in at 6g per 1/2 C. Potassium is very low compared to the others, at 160mg per serving. Sodium comes in at 360mg, which is creeping up there a bit. Protein is the usual 2g per half cup. Calcium and iron are both lower than the other flavours (4% and 2% dv, respectively).
Teriyaki Jackfruit
I have not tried this. Honestly, Teriyaki doesn't appeal to me. I know I SHOULD try it just for my readers, but why eat something I know I won't like? The nutritional info is as follows (all for 1/2 C serving) - Fat: 2g, Calories: 100, Protein: 2g, Fibre: 5g, Sodium: 570mg (24%), Potassium: 160mg, Calcium: 4%, Iron: 6%.
In summation:
The texture of the BBQ left me disappointed, and the flavour was just okay. I loved both the taste and texture of the Curried, and will definitely buy it again. Tex-Mex has a good flavour, and a soft (but not mushy) texture. If it were on sale, I might buy Tex-Mex again (but prefer seasoning crumbles). All are low in fat and calories, while being high in fibre. Though sodium levels vary, they're overall reasonable. Potassium levels also vary widely, but the same is true for meat. Protein and micronutrients are lacking, but unless you survived on Jackfruit alone, it isn't a problem. Definitely give Jackfruit a try!
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or use the "contact" option. I hope you enjoyed this review.
Until next time....