- Jackfruit is the national fruit of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankans have developed inventive ways to make the best of every stage of their growth, whether it is young, mature, or completely mature. The color of the flesh of ripen jackfruit has changed to a bright yellow, and the flavor has changed from a starchy blandness to a delicious honey-tinged sweet flavor. And the scent has changed to one that is sweet and delicious. It's eaten directly off the fruit, with a heavy sprinkling of pepper for additional zing.