Why You Should Eat ʻUlu

Did you know that ʻUlu is considered a kinolau, or manifestation, of the God Kū in Hawaiian culture? This means that eating ‘ulu not only tastes amazing but also imbues you with a bit of Kū’s mana, or power. It’s the ultimate mana ai, a true superfood. Forget the trendy superfoods popping up everywhere—ʻulu is the real deal.

Super Power Foods

Let's talk about superpower foods that boost your mana.

‘Ulu, also known as breadfruit, is similar to jackfruit and packed with health benefits. But moderation is key.

A 100g serving of ‘ulu provides 102 calories, primarily from carbohydrates. As it ripens, its starch converts to fructose and glucose, making it sweeter.

‘Ulu is rich in fiber, helping to reduce blood cholesterol, obesity, and blood pressure. Sounds pretty super, right? It gets even better.

Breadfruit has more vitamin C than jackfruit and bananas, helping your body combat free radicals that cause inflammation and illness. It also delivers essential vitamins and minerals like potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.

How to Use ‘Ulu

Mature and unripe ‘ulu are best used as if they were a vegetable like a potato.  In fact, they are awesome as a substitute for potatoes in curries and stews.

When the fruit is harvested it continues to ripen and goes from a dark green to a ripe light brown.  As the fruit ripens it takes on a more sweet taste and soft texture.  It reminds me of banana pancakes or baked sourdough bread.

Frying up a few slices with grass-fed butter will make your eyes roll back in pure ecstasy.  Yes, huge fan of ‘ulu here.

Where to Get ‘Ulu

‘Ulu season peaks from May to September but can sometimes be found year-round. You might spot them at Foodland, Times, or local Farmer’s Markets if you're in Hawaii.

If you have access to a tree, even better. Don’t hesitate to ask friends or family if they know someone with an ‘ulu tree. Mature trees can produce hundreds of fruits in a good season, and it would be a shame to waste such a heavenly gift!

Learn More About the Story Kū on Kumukahi.