Breadfruit artocarpus altilis is a fruit tree native to the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia. It was first domesticated over 5,000 years ago in what is now Papua New Guinea, and it quickly became a staple crop in many Pacific Island cultures. Breadfruit was introduced from the Pacific to the Caribbean in the late 1700s via the ill-fated and infamous voyage of Captain William Bligh and his doomed sailboat, the HMS Bounty.
The breadfruit industry began to develop in the Caribbean in the early 1800s, with the establishment of breadfruit on several Caribbean islands, most notably Jamaica. However, the industry faced many challenges, including inadequate transportation and storage facilities, and competition from other crops like bananas, coconuts, and rice.
Today, breadfruit is grown in many tropical regions around the world, and it is used in a variety of dishes and products, including chips, flour, and even ice cream. It is also gaining recognition as a sustainable and nutritious crop, with high levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Early adopters of breadfruit as a food crop include Pacific Islanders and Caribbean communities, and it is now being promoted as a solution to food insecurity and climate change in many parts of the world.