A cure for world hunger? 'Miracle' jack fruit that grows easily and tastes just like PORK could save millions from starvation, claim experts

'Miracle crop' jackfruit grows in Asia and is the world's biggest tree-borne fruit
Each fruit houses hundreds of seeds rich in calcium, protein, iron and potassium
It could replace wheat and corn, which are threatened by climate change
While used extensively throughout Asia, 75% grown in India goes to waste
A British duo are attempting to break the UK food market with the strange fruit

An exotic fruit that tastes like pork and gives off a putrid smell could save millions from starvation.

The 'miracle crop', known as a jackfruit, is the biggest tree-borne fruit in the world and grows in south and southeast Asia.

A single fruit, which can weigh between 4.5 and 45 kilograms (10-100lbs), houses hundreds of seeds that are rich in nutritious calcium, protein, iron and potassium.

One fruit can be enough to feed a family for an entire meal.

Researchers suggest the crop could replace wheat and corn which are threatened by climate change.

Now, a pair of graduates based in Birmingham are attempting to break the food market with the jackfruit - by selling it as a healthy pork alternative.

An exotic fruit that tastes like pork and gives off a putrid smell could save millions from starvation. The jackfruit (pictured) is the biggest tree-borne fruit in the world and grows in south and southeast Asia

A pair of British graduates based in Birmingham are attempting to break the UK food market with the strange fruit - by selling it as a healthy pork alternative. Pictured are burgers created using one of their 'Project Jackfruit' meat alternatives

Project Jackfruit was started by 23-year-old entrepreneurs Jordan Grayson (left) and Abi Robertson (right)

'Project Jackfruit' was started by 23-year-old entrepreneurs Jordan Grayson and Abi Robertson, who were looking for a substitute for meat in their meals.

The pair sell pre-prepared portions of jackfruit sourced from India, with flavours including barbecue, satay and Caribbean jerk.

The crop is exceptionally popular in Bangladesh and other south and southeast Asian nations, but Mr Grayson and Ms Robertson admit it may take the public some getting used to.

'Some people seem very nervous about it but once they've been tempted and tried it they can't believe it,'

'It's way better for you than meat - plus it's one of your five a day. I think we'd consider it the "forgotten fruit".'

A crowdfunding campaign made over £7,000 ($9,230) for the project in October 2017, allowing the pair to begin manufacturing their product in India.

Project Jackfruit sells 300-gram (0.6-lb) pouches of their Jackfruit mixes for £5 ($6.90), which it says divide into four portions.

WHAT IS A JACKFRUIT AND HOW MIGHT IT SOLVE WORLD HUNGER?

The jackfruit is the biggest tree-borne fruit in the world and grows in south and southeast Asia.

It has been pitched as a potential big player in the solution to world hunger as it could replace wheat and corn, which are threatened by climate change.

Each Vitamin C-rich fruit yields hundreds of small, yellow, fruit lobes that contain a nutritious seed.

These seeds house an abundance of protein, potassium, calcium and iron, and experts suggest just 1kg (0.2 lb) of the fruit has approximately 95 calories.

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A single fruit, which can weigh between 4.5 and 45 kilograms (10-100lbs), houses hundreds of seeds (pictured) that are rich in nutritious calcium, protein, iron and potassium. Experts suggest just 1kg (0.2 lb) of the fruit has approximately 95 calories

But while used extensively in Vietnam, Bangladesh, and other countries where it grows, 75 per cent of the fruit grown in India goes to waste.

The jackfruit has a reputation as a 'poor man's fruit' in India, meaning many leave the fruit to rot as it ripens instead of preserving it for food and other resources.

Several organisations are now working to change the country's perception of the crop, which experts say could make farmers £110 ($150) per tree because of the many products you can make with its bark and fruit.

These include natural oils, latex, food for livestock, and more. They plan to begin distributing the meat-alternative to UK retailers soon.

Currently, few UK retailers stock the fruit thanks to shipping costs and its poor shelf life, with those that do selling tinned jackfruit for around £8.30 per kilo ($6 per lb).

In the US, the fruit is significantly cheaper, selling at Asian markets across the country for around £3.50 per kilo ($2.50 per lb).

The jackfruit has been pitched as a potential big player in the solution to world hunger.

Entrepreneurs Jordan Grayson and Abi Robertson, both 22, sell pre-prepared portions of jackfruit, with flavours including barbecue, satay, jerk and sweet and sour. Pictured are fajitas (left) and a curry (right) made using products from 'Project Jackfruit'

Each Vitamin C-rich fruit yields hundreds of small, yellow lobes that contain a nutritious seed.

These seeds house an abundance of protein, potassium, calcium and iron, and experts suggest just one kilo (0.2 lb) of the fruit has approximately 95 calories.

'It's a miracle. It can provide so many nutrients and calories – everything,' Dr Shyamala Reddy, a biotechnology researcher at the University of Agriculture Sciences in Bangalore, India, told the Guardian.

But while used extensively in Vietnam, Bangladesh, and other countries where it grows, 75 per cent of the fruit grown in India goes to waste.

While the jackfruit is used extensively in Vietnam, Bangladesh, and other countries where it grows, experts say that 75 per cent of the fruit grown in India goes to waste

The jackfruit has a reputation as a 'poor man's fruit' in India, meaning many leave the fruit to rot as it ripens instead of preserving it for food and other resources

The jackfruit has a reputation as a 'poor man's fruit' in India, meaning many leave the crop to rot as it ripens instead of preserving it for food and other resources.

Several Indian organisations are now working to change the country's perception of the crop, which some experts argue could make farmers £110 ($150) per tree because of the many products you can make with its bark and fruit.

These include natural oils, latex, food for livestock, and more.

'Jackfruit is considered a "miracle crop" as it grows naturally in such a huge abundance, has high yield and even survives in droughts,' Mr Grayson and Ms Robertson write on their website.

When ripe the jackfruit (file photo) tastes like mango and has a unique texture, but Project Jackfruit sells the food before it's ripe, giving it a texture 'like pulled pork'. In future Ms Robertson and Mr Grayson hope to break the British food market 'and beyond'

'We couldn't understand why jackfruit wasn't readily available considering how much of it is wasted.

'It is a paradox Asia wastes so much of the fruit, as so many suffer from lack of proper nutrition and income.'

When ripe the crop tastes like mango and has a unique texture, but Project Jackfruit sells the food before it's ripe, giving it a texture 'like pulled pork'.

'It's literally texture and then it's all about how you cook it, the spice mix and the sauce make it taste great,' Ms Robertson told MailOnline.

Several organisations are now working to change India's perception of the fruit, which some experts argue could make farmers £110 ($150) per tree because of the many products you can make with its bark and fruit

They may have a while to go before it replaces pork on British plates: Project Jackfruit's pouches come in at over £15 per kilo ($7 per lb), while pork is sold at around £3.50 per kilo ($1.60 per lb) in most UK supermarkets.

Despite this hurdle, the pair hope to break the British market with the exotic product to help ease the strain of climate change and overpopulation.

'The meat and dairy industries are just too much of a toll on the planet,' Ms Robertson told MailOnline.

'This is the time to look for alternatives and this is a great way of utilising what is one of the most wasted fruits in the world.

'We're ambitious about making jackfruit mainstream in the UK and beyond.'