The Juicy Jamun
The glistening deep purple jamun, which leaves its characteristic stamp on the tongue and lips of the eater, is very popular in India. Children love the succulent sweetness of this fruit, which is also known as java plum and Indian blackberry. The jamun tree can be found all over India.
The jamun is a hardy crop that can be grown under adverse soil and weather conditions. The tree is an evergreen that grows to a height of 30-40 feet. It can grow in many soils, but thrives best in deep loam and well-drained soils. It provides shade, and is often grown for its ornamental value.
The jamun tree starts flowering from March to April. The flowers are fragrant and small. The fruits develop in a couple of months and are ready for picking by July-August. A well-grown tree yields 80 to 100kg of fruit. The fruit is oblong and oval-shaped, with a seed in the centre. Initially green incolour, it turns to deep red or bluish-black on maturity. It has a characteristic sweet-sour taste, and lends a purple tinge to the tongue when eaten.
The jamun can be eaten as it is, and also with salt. Further, it is processed to make varied products such as jams, jellies, preserves, and squashes. The ripe fruit is fermented to fabricate excellent quality wine, while the juice of the raw fruit is used to make vinegar. Rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A, the fruit is a boon for dieters and diabetics, as it contains absolutely no sucrose, and provides fewer calories in comparison with other fruits. Further, the fruit and its seed contain many medicinal properties. Research has proved that dried extracts of the seed, given to diabetics on a regular basis, help reduce the blood sugar level. The juice of the jamun is used in medicines to treat diarrhoea.
The other parts of the jamun tree also have various uses. The tree bark has high astringent properties, and is used as a mouthwash. It also finds use in dyeing and tanning processes. The leaves possess anti-bacterial properties and are used to make dental medicines. The wood of the jamun tree is extremely strong and has a unique water - resistant quality. So, it isused for sleeper planks on railway tracks.
* Jamun is a black plum that aids in skin care and weight loss, relieves stomach pain, and boosts immunity. It can be used in salads, desserts, juices, and smoothies.
* There is a good amount of vitamin C and other antioxidants in jamun, which can help to stimulate the production of white blood cells, and in turn, increase the strength of the immune system.
* Regular consumption of jamun fruit or juice that contains notable levels of potassium, which is a vasodilator, may helpreduce your risk of highblood pressure, atherosclerosis, and heart attacks.
