Ma’afala Breadfruit

Endemic to Samoa and Tonga, Ma’afala has one of the smallest breadfruits, averaging 790 g in weight. The fruit has a creamy to pale yellow flesh and is usually seedless. Besides, its flesh is more tender and moister than other known breadfruit varieties, except it maintains its texture and firmness in recipes such as salads. Nutritionally, breadfruit is a gluten-free, energy-rich carbohydrate food. Ma‘afala, in particular, is higher in protein than most breadfruit varieties. It is also a good source of fiber and is rich in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Furthermore, breadfruit contains good amounts of antioxidants, which scavenge harmful free radicals from the body that lead to aging and other age-related diseases.