Despite increasing consumer demand and an imminent production surge in breadfruit, a number of barriers must be overcome in order to increase the market availability, distribution, and commercial competitiveness of breadfruit. Many growers have limited understanding of when a fruit is ready to harvest and how to best harvest and handle the fruit to ensure a high quality product is delivered to market. As with any perishable crop-producers must learn proper handling of breadfruit to optimize its value to consumers, and therefore its commercial value. Similarly, chefs and consumers also need essential information on handling and preparation of breadfruit. This comprehensive 36-page guide will help growers ensure that the existing and future breadfruit crop will be used on farm, in the marketplace, or in the consumer's kitchen. This second edition adds kitchen handling tips, nutritional information, and descriptions for three important breadfruit varieties.
About the Author: Craig Elevitch is director of the nonprofit educational organization Hawaii Homegrown Food Network, which promotes locally and sustainably grown food in Hawai'i. His internationally recognized publications have guided thousands of readers in becoming more proficient in ecological food production, agroforestry, and reforestation. He has coordinated numerous workshops and field days in sustainable agriculture, with over 3,000 farmers and resource professionals participating since 1993. He has authored numerous titles, including the popular Traditional Trees of Pacific Islands (2006) and Specialty Crops for Pacific Islands (2011). Dr. Diane Ragone was appointed Director of the Breadfruit Institute in 2003 and has worked at the National Tropical Botanical Garden since 1989. She is an authority on the conservation and use of breadfruit, conducting horticultural and ethnobotanical studies on this important Pacific staple crop for 30 years. Her extensive fieldwork on over 50 islands in Micronesia, Polynesia, and Melanesia enabled the NTBG to establish the world's largest collection of breadfruit at its Kahanu Garden in Hna, Maui. The Breadfruit Institute was created to promote the conservation and use of breadfruit for food and reforestation. Ian Cole is the Collection Manager/Curator for the Breadfruit Institute. He manages the breadfruit collections at Kahanu Garden in Hana, Maui and McBryde Garden in Lwai, Kauai and is responsible for horticultural care of 300 trees and more than 120 varieties of breadfruit. Ian worked with the Breadfruit Institute in varying capacities since 2005 including propagation and fruit evaluation studies. He is actively involved in programs to promote the farm-to-table use of breadfruit, organizing and participating in workshops and breadfruit harvesting, handling, and cooking demonstrations in numerous venues throughout Hawaii.