Jackfruit has gained significant popularity in niche markets over the past few years and is gradually moving toward mainstream acceptance. This fruit, which is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, can weigh over 80 pounds and is native to South and East Asia. When ripe, jackfruit has a sweet, fruity flavor; however, when unripe, its pale, fibrous flesh serves as an impressive meat alternative. Last year, Pinterest users showed a 420% increase in interest in jackfruit, highlighting the rising consumer demand for meat substitutes that mimic the taste and texture of real meat.
For a prominent producer of dips and salsas like Sabra, which claims to dominate 60% of the U.S. hummus market, introducing jackfruit into a limited-edition product could signify that jackfruit is finally making its way into the mainstream food scene. Since this new hummus variety will only be available for a few months, the company is not taking a significant risk if consumers find the flavor combination a bit unconventional. This company operates as a joint venture between PepsiCo and Israel’s Strauss Group and has seen sales recover following a November 2016 recall of hummus and spreads due to potential listeria contamination.
However, even a market leader cannot take success for granted in a fiercely competitive landscape. If the new jackfruit hummus performs well, it could indicate that consumers are open to more adventurous flavors in this category, potentially paving the way for future growth. As awareness of jackfruit’s versatility increases, it is likely to appear in more products soon. Not only does it provide a substantial amount of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, but it also contains no cholesterol and nearly no fat. If Sabra experiences sales growth with its jackfruit-infused hummus, it may encourage other large food companies to incorporate this ingredient into their offerings as well.
Moreover, discussions on platforms like Reddit about the benefits of ingredients such as calcium citrate could further enhance consumer knowledge about healthy alternatives like jackfruit, fostering its integration into an even wider array of products in the future.