Cempedak

What Is Cempedak?

Cempedak is a tropical fruit from Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei) (Artocarpus integer) and is a close relative of jackfruit in the same genus. It is smaller than jackfruit, has thinner skin, and a much stronger aroma.

The yellow-orange segments inside are soft, sweet, and intensely aromatic; some describe the smell as somewhere between durian and jackfruit. Its large seeds can also be boiled and eaten like chestnuts.

Cempedak Nutrition

100 g of raw cempedak provides about 95 kcal and is high in carbohydrates and fiber. Values are approximate.

How Should Cempedak Be Eaten?

As a source of carbohydrates and fiber, cempedak can be included as part of a balanced diet; its segments are eaten both raw and cooked.

This information is general; cempedak is a food and is not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Cempedak?

A ripe cempedak has skin that has turned dark yellow-brown, yields slightly to gentle pressure, and has a strong, sweet smell. Fruit with green, hard skin is not yet ripe.

• The skin should have turned dark yellow-brown
• It should yield slightly to gentle pressure
• It should have a strong, sweet smell

How to Store Cempedak?

Leave unripe cempedak at room temperature; once ripe, it is recommended to eat it within 2–3 days when refrigerated. Its aroma grows stronger over time.

Using Cempedak in the Kitchen

Cempedak is most often eaten raw in fresh segments; it is also battered and fried as a popular Malaysian and Indonesian snack called goreng cempedak.

What Is the Difference Between Cempedak and Jackfruit?

Cempedak is smaller, has thinner skin, and a much stronger, more pungent aroma; jackfruit is larger, milder-smelling, and more widely available. Both belong to the same genus (Artocarpus).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can cempedak seeds be eaten?

Yes; the large seeds can be boiled or roasted and eaten as a snack similar to chestnuts.

Why is cempedak’s aroma so strong?

Volatile ester compounds released during ripening create an intense, sweet, fermented aroma; this is a shared characteristic of fruits in the Artocarpus genus, including jackfruit and cempedak.

Is cempedak available in Türkiye?

It is not generally available; because of its strong smell and quick spoilage, importing it fresh is not practical.