Focus on Trees

Greenypeeps is donating 3% of all sales to the Hiniduma Biolink Project in southern Sri Lanka.

The project is aiming to create a natural rainforest corridor linking the Sinharaja forest area with the Kanneliya forest area working closely with the smallholders that live in and around this area. These community farmers sign a contract to become a part of the initiative. In turn, they’re paid to plant and nurture a natural mix of 90 different tree species to help regenerate the rainforest corridor.

In this ‘Focus on Trees‘ series, we will highlight some of the fascinating trees we are providing the local smallholders and the benefits they behold.

The Jack Fruit Tree

Here is prasad proudly standing in front of his 6-year-old jack fruit tree already flush with fruit.

This tree yields the largest tree-borne fruit in the world and belongs to the Moracae family, the same family as the fig and mulberry tree.

The jack fruit has exploded in popularity across the Western world as people switch to veganism or look for meat alternatives for health and environmentally conscious reasons.

It’s flesh has a mild taste and is naturally sweetened as it ripens. It has a meat-like texture and can be prepared and cooked in the same way it lends itself to being a fantastic  ‘pulled pork’ substitute often used in burgers, tacos and curries.

The seeds are rich in protein, potassium, calcium, and iron and once boiled have a texture and taste similar to chestnuts. The seeds are often used in curries.

The tree itself can be used for dye, latex, timber, or animal feed.

This simply is a wonderful tree. Fast-growing with so many uses. Our smallholders will either harvest the fruits for their own families or sell them in the market for additional income.

Jack fruit has been hailed as a fruit that could save millions from starvation.