Pacific Islands & Caribbean
Breadfruit
Artocarpus altilis
FruitStarchyTropicalPacificHigh-yield
Overview
A single breadfruit tree can produce hundreds of kilograms of nutritious fruit per year. Starchy, filling, and versatile — breadfruit was a staple across the Pacific long before it was introduced to the Caribbean.
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is one of the most productive food plants on Earth. A single tree can produce hundreds of kilograms of nutritious fruit per year for decades, requiring minimal care once established. Starchy, filling, and versatile, it has been a staple across the Pacific Islands for thousands of years.
Breadfruit was introduced to the Caribbean in the 18th century — famously by Captain Bligh of the Bounty — and has since become an important food crop across the tropics. It can be roasted, boiled, fried, or dried and ground into flour.
Nutrition
What's inside
27g per 100g
Carbohydrates
1.1g per 100g
Protein
29mg per 100g
Vitamin C
490mg per 100g
Potassium
4.9g per 100g
Fibre
Growing Guide
How it grows
Growing Guide
Breadfruit trees are propagated from root shoots or cuttings. They begin producing fruit within 3–5 years and can continue for decades. They require a tropical or subtropical climate with regular rainfall and do not tolerate frost.
Climate Resilience
Breadfruit is well-adapted to tropical climates and can tolerate periods of drought once established. Its high yield per tree makes it an efficient use of land, and its deep roots help prevent soil erosion in coastal areas.
Soil Health
Breadfruit trees improve soil health by adding organic matter through leaf litter and providing shade that reduces soil temperature and moisture loss. They are often grown in agroforestry systems alongside other crops.
Traditional Uses
How it has been used
In the Pacific Islands, breadfruit is preserved by fermentation — buried in pits for months or years to create a sour, paste-like food called masi or ma. It is also roasted whole in fire, boiled in coconut milk, or dried and ground into flour for bread and pancakes.
Cultural Story
The story behind the crop
In Hawaiian culture, the breadfruit tree (ulu) is considered a gift from the gods — a symbol of abundance and sustainability. Traditional Hawaiian agriculture centred on the ulu grove, which could feed a family for generations from a small plot of land. Today, breadfruit is being championed as a solution to food insecurity in tropical regions facing the impacts of climate change.
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