Marang

The Johey Oak (Artocarpus odoratissimus) — also called Marang, Madang, and Tarap — is a tree native to Borneo. It is closely related to the Jackfruit, Cempedak, and Breadfruit trees.

It is an evergreen tree growing to 25 m tall. The leaves are 16-50 cm long and 11-28 cm broad, similar to the Breadfruit’s, but are a little less lobed.

As indicated by the scientific name, the fruit has a strong scent. The fruit is considered superior in flavour to both Jackfruit and Cempedak.

The appearance of the fruit can be regarded as an intermediate shape between the jackfruit and the breadfruit. The fruit is round to oblong, 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. Marangs change colour 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’s, 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. Arils are white and the size of a grape, each containing a 15 × 8 mm seed. 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.

The tree is not cold tolerant (as is the breadfruit). It can grow between latitude 15º north and south, and in coastal regions where temperatures never stay under 7 °C. It is cultivated for its fruit in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and southern Thailand. The species is largely grown for local consumption; the short shelf-life of the fruit limits its wider use. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

THE NEED FOR A MARANG DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (IMDA)

If there is one fruit that Iligan City must declare as its official fruit is the Marang or Madang, as popularly called in the area.

No other fruit can offer so much international exposure and income for Iligan-not only in pesos but even in dollars.  Its main draw back is its short shelf life-once opened it must be consumed immediately.

In order to exploit the main advantage of this fruit, Iligan must come up with an International Marang Development Authority (IMDA) tie it with DOST and IIT and explore how it can prolong its shelf-life.

Its seed is as good as peanuts and even coffee. The covering of the fruit can be compacted to form plywood boards.  Its a fruit were nothing is wasted.

This fruit is very abundant in the mountains of the Lanao provinces and if fully develop as a delicacy and fruit preserve can give valuable dollars to people living in the hinterlands.

Everybody hears about durian cake or ice cream but no one has ever experimented with marang cake or ice cream which we believed is a very exotic and exciting taste.

The Rotary Club of Iligan is spearheading the development of the Madang as an international product, not only for the city but even the Lanao provinces.  We are also spearheading the move in the city to declare it our official fruit. 

Let us all pray that God grants us the wisdom on how to preserve its tasty fruit longer.  Its the difference between being an international exporter  or be complacent being an ordinary city forever.

The choice is ours as Iliganons.

God bless the Johey Oak!!  (bet you didn’t know that is its English name he he)

President Aji