Full List of Fruits Kwai Muk fruit
Introduction of Kwai Muk fruitAbout FruitNutritional Value of Kwai Muk fruitKwai Muk fruit UsesPropagationStorage
Kwai Muk fruit
Introduction of Kwai Muk fruit
Scientific name - Artocarpus hypargyreus
Most prevalent in China, Artocarpus hypargyreus commonly known as Kwai Muk is a species of plant from the family of Moraceae. Indigenous to Southern China, the fruit tree is little known in Southern Florida even though it has been grown since 1927. Inclined by territory loss, almost all species of Artocarpus are laticiferous trees or shrubs that are composed of leaves, twigs and stems capable of bringing into being a creamy sap. With both sexes present within the same plant, the fauna type has diploid sexuality i.e. they are monoecious and produces unisexual flowers. The plants of A. hypargyreus produce petite, greenish, female flowers that grow on short, plump spikes.
With a yellow, finely pubescent surface, the leaves of the tree are elliptic to elliptic-ovate and very simple. With 3-6 inches long, they have a rigid and fibrous texture. Having no trichomes on both the surfaces, the upper surface features a shiny and dark green color, while the lower surface features a dull medium green. Like how the unripe fruit when cut exudes a white latex substance, the stems and leaves also exudes white sticky latex when cut or broken. The fruit matures from August to October.
The shape of the fruit is irregular; they are globose, ovate, or oblate. They have a diameter of 1.5-2 inches and a weight of 0.5-1.5 oz. In view of the fact that, the skin of the fruit is very thin they are easily broken. The pulp has a sub acid flavor and it is orange-red to red, and is soft and tender.
Nutritional Value of Kwai Muk fruit
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| Energy | 11kJ/2.5kcal |
| Protein | 0.05 g |
| Carbohydrate | 0.57 g |
| Sugars | 0.34 g |
| Other Carbohydrate | 0.23 g |
Unripe fruits are not for consumption because it gives out sticky white latex when the fruit’s skin is cut, so the fruit must be ripe completely for fresh consumption. When the fruit is fully ripe, it gives out an excellent flavor that’s very good for consumption. When ripened on the tree, the fruit is said to have the best taste, on the other hand, it can also be yielded during the mature green stage and ripened at room temperature. It takes just about 1-3 days for the green fruit to ripe.
In Florida, propagation has been done entirely by seed and it takes several weeks to take root and the young plants grow slowly.
With regards to spacing, the tree is said to grow at its best in full sun. Having said that, pruning is needed only to take out dead branches or to drop off the height or width of the tree! Well-drained soils are best suited for the tree to grow, without apparent injury, the tree grows best in well-drained soils, but will continue to exist short-lived flooding of the root system.
Even though, no experiments have been reported on storage of this fruit, the fruits of Artocarpus hypargyreus can be preserved either by drying and storing it or it can also be preserved with salt or sugar syrup. However, the dried fruit is said to have a good texture and flavor.
