I took this shot when I went home to Bacolod last month...
Johey Oak, Green Pedalai, Madang, Tarap, Breadfruit Cousin... These are some of the names other countries call the Marang which is scientifically known as Artocarpus odoratissimus.
This delicious Marang is closely related to the Jackfruit, Cempedak, and Breadfruit trees. The fruit, just like Durian, has a strong but more tolerable scent and is considered superior in taste.
Marang is found everywhere in the Philippines but mostly in the south, grown for local consumption. An average Marang fruit is round to oblong shape, 15–20 cm long and 13 cm broad, and weighing about 1 kg.
The thick rind is covered with soft, broad spines. They become hard and brittle as the fruit matures. The fruit does not fall to the ground when ripe. It may be harvested while still hard, and left to ripen until soft. Marang changes color to greenish yellow when ripe. The ripe fruit is opened by cutting the rind around, twisting and gently pulling. The interior of the fruit is somewhat similar to the jackfruit, but the color is white and the flesh is usually softer. The core is relatively large, but there are far fewer "rags" and less non-edible parts. Once opened, the marang should be consumed quickly (in a few hours), as it loses flavour rapidly and fruit oxidizes. The seeds are also edible after boiling or roasting. Mmmmmmm yummy!!!
Marang in Bacolod costs an average of P8 - 15 per fruit depending on its' size. In Manila, it fetches to P100 which sucks. I was at the market at the park last Sunday drooling over it but even if I really wanted to buy one and eat it, the price is just too much considering that when I just go home, it comes free for me since we have a small plantation of it in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.
This fruit though is originally from Borneo thus; Marang is one of the great gifts from our Indonesian ancestors.
Author's note: The image is taken by me and is my personal property.