I’m Jackfruit – Stop Asking Me to Be Your Meat Substitute

Hi. I’m jackfruit. You probably know me from that pulled “pork” taco you had once. You know, the one that looked Instagrammable but tasted like wet paper with BBQ sauce? Yeah. That was me.

Listen. I’m flattered you thought I could be brisket. Really. But we need to talk.

Because I’m not meat. I never was. And I’m tired of pretending.

I Wasn’t Born to Be a BBQ Poster Child

I grew up on trees in tropical Asia—not on a grill in Austin. My roots go back centuries in South India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and beyond. Generations cooked with me because of who I am, not who I could impersonate.

But somewhere along the way, someone popped open a can, smothered me in brown sauce, and said, "Look! It’s vegan pulled pork!"

And now I’m stuck being everyone’s low-protein, low-fat, slightly-sweet disappointment.

You Want Smoke? Try a Smoked Eggplant

You keep asking me for things I literally can’t give you:

• I don’t brown like seitan.

• I don’t sizzle like tofu.

• I don’t hold flavour like tempeh.

• I don’t have protein. At all.

I’m soft. I’m fibrous. I’m delicate. I bring texture and carry spices. I work best in curries, stews, or wrapped in flaky pastry—not dragged into a pulled meat fantasy I can’t fulfill.

So please stop setting me up to fail.

Let Me Show You What I Can Do

Put me in a Sri Lankan jackfruit curry with mustard seeds and coconut milk—I’ll shine.
Tuck me into a banh mi with pickled veggies and chilli—I’ll flex.
Toss me in a salad with crispy tofu and sesame dressing—I’ll pop.
Mix me with lentils in a shepherd’s pie—I’ll hold the line.

I’m a team player. Not a solo act. That’s my strength.

Stop Forcing the Narrative

Every time I flop as fake meat, someone says, "Jackfruit’s overrated."

No, I’m miscast.

You want me to be something I’m not, then blame me when your sandwich falls apart. It’s not my fault you expected ribs. I’m literally a fruit.

Let tofu do the heavy lifting. Let seitan be chewy. Let beans bring the protein.

Me? Let me bring soul.

Final Word: I’m Jackfruit. That’s Enough.

I don’t need your pity likes or meat comparisons. I’ve been delicious long before I was rebranded as a brisket substitute.

So the next time you open a can and reach for that barbecue sauce—maybe pause.

And instead of asking me to be meat…

Ask how I can be myself.

Sincerely,
Jackfruit

💬 Ever tried jackfruit in a way that surprised you? Or did I disappoint you in a taco? Tell me. I’m listening. Kind of.