Jamun, the highly nutritious, refreshing and succulent fruit flooding the summer markets has innumerable health benefits. Commonly known as Java plum or Indian blackberry in English, Jamun or Jambul in Hindi, Jambufalam or Mahaphala in Sanskrit, Naavar Pazham in Tamil and Neredu in Telugu, it goes by the botanical name Syzygium cumini. Jamun, the tall tree with a heavy trunk is native to the Indian sub-continent but is also widely found in various Asian countries. The tree bears fruits which are oblong in shape – that are green when raw but turn pink or purple as they ripen. This juicy fruit holds a great significance in holistic treatments like Ayurvedic, Unani and Chinese medicine as it attenuates Kapha and Pitta. In fact, jamun found a special mention in Ramayana and is prized as the ‘Fruit of Gods’ as Lord Rama survived eating this berry during his 14 years of exile in the forest. Available in two varieties – Jamuns with white toned flesh and has a good amount of pectin while the other one with dark purplish flesh has lower amounts of pectin. Pectin is a polysaccharide substance present in the flesh of berries, fruits like apples that serves as a thickening agent, while making jams and jellies.

Benefits Of Jamun: Jamun is a powerhouse of various nutritional components. It is loaded with a spectrum of vitamins including vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, fibre, magnesium, potassium, glucose, protein, carbohydrates and other essential nutrients.