'Ulu: Meet Hawai'i's Protein Rich Superfruit
What is 'ulu?
'Ulu (commonly known as breadfriut) is a protien-rich superfruit that grows in Hawai'i and across many regions in the Pacific. 'Ulu is a remarkable fruit because it's versatile, rich in nutrients, and sustainable to grow. And best thing of all, it's absolutely delicious! Depending on its maturity, breadfruit can be firm and savory like a potato, or soft, sweet, and fruity like a ripe banana.
A crop for climate resilience
If you have ever seen an 'ulu tree, you will be taken aback by how large they can grow, dominating the tree canopy above, adorned with uniquely shaped leaves, making them remarkable carbon sequesters. What makes 'ulu especially unique is it's a staple crop that grows on a tree, providing additional environmental benefits along with sequestering carbon, such as reducing the need to till the soil or control weeds, and being heat and drought tolerate, making them favorable orchard crops in topical communities most vulnerable to famine and climate change.
Planting one tree can provide food for multiple families for generations. One tree can live for 50 to 100 years and produce hundreds, even a thousand pounds of fruit annually!
Packed with vitamins and nutrients
Compared to other starched such as potatoes, wheat, and white rice, 'ulu is an excellent source of fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals. 'Ulu is loaded with antioxidants, carotenoids, iron, magnesium, niacin, calcium, copper, potassium, vitamin A & C and more.‘Ulu is also low in fat, low glycemic, non-GMO, and gluten-free.
‘Ulu is so versatile, you can use it to make soups, salads, stews, casseroles, lasagna, burgers, hummus, pickles, gnocchi—even gluten-free flour and healthier versions of chips, breads, chocolate mousse, and ice cream!
'Ulu on Banán's menu
Since 'ulu is so versatile, we use it as the main ingredient in our waffles, offered with a swirl of Banán on top. We source 'ulu from the 'Ulu Cooperative located on the Big Island and use very ripe breadfruit in our waffle batter, so it is sweet and custardy.
Over the past 100 years, ‘ulu and many of Hawai‘i’s other heritage crops have taken a back seat to imported, highly processed factory foods, which has had negative impacts on our local economy and community health. By adding 'ulu to our menu, we hope to be apart of the change in Hawai'i, creating a renewed demand for traditional Hawaiian crops.
Written by Frankie
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