Jamuns (aka jambuls, jambun or java plums) are fruits that are exclusive to the subcontinent. And for once, I’m happy to say I’d have these over any of the berries (or rather the lack of them) I’ve been crying over. No, I don’t need raspberries,cranberries and blackberries, I’d much rather have jamuns.
Jamuns are fruits with a blackish-purple skin. They can be white inside with a purple seed or deep purple all together. Come to think of it, they look like large black olives. When they’ve just begun entering the market they’re usually quite tart, but as they mature, they still have the characteristic zing but are much sweeter. They’ve got an astringent after taste that will keep reminding you of the flavour and you will end up eating a lot more of these than you intended!
Jamuns start making their appearance during early April and are found through June on every other busy street with women selling them by the kilo. There are a few jamun trees in my apartment complex as well, but I’d need a huge bamboo stick and a taller person to help me get those down! Each time I see the fruits on the tree I’m reminded of the summers of my childhood. All the girls in the neighbourhood would come out with their bicycles and run amuck though the sunny days. We’d pluck jasmine flowers to make tiny garlands, we’d make tents with bedsheets between two trees, we’d play with the turtles that resided in the fountain (well, here I’d just be watching) and we’d run around with vessels picking up jamuns that some of the older boys would pluck with bamboo sticks. Jamun picking was my favourite part. After collecting as much as I could, I’d run back home to show mum my new found treasure. Mum would then rinse them in running water, drain them and then put them in a saucepan with a little rock salt and shake it up together with the lid on. This way, they become nice and mushy, with the salt beautifully rounding off the tartness. No sooner were they laid out in a plate than I’d be on a marathons of sorts – eating up as much as I could, and in the process not just staining my fingers and tongue a shade of deep purple, but also my clothes (much to my mum’s chagrin).
Even today, that is exactly how I enjoy my jamuns – pounded until tender with a pinch of salt. Jamuns are used to make preserves, sauces, tarts and jams as well. I haven’t tried cooking the fruit but I’m curious to know how it would taste. Maybe I will give it a shot sometime. They can also be made into sherbets, sorbets, syrups or pulpy drinks. I recently discovered that the jamun fruits are even fermented into wine in some parts of India!
I’m sure most of you would have never heard of this fruit, but when you’re travelling to the subcontinent during the summer, keep your eyes peeled for these.
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Thanks for bringing back my childhood memories of Jamun and all the crazy thing we did on those trees for this simple fruits .
Jamun in Ayurveda has a gr8 beneficial value for its results in Diabetes and Urinary Tract Infection.Its not actually the fruits or the pulp around but the actual seeds that are used for that.
Just dry the seeds and make them in to a powder and you can use it in that way .
Regards
Sudeep
You know, Shaheen, it’s memories such as those that often make some of the most ordinary of things seem like little drops of heaven. I’m sure the simple image of jamuns often convinces your mind to subconsciously associate it with images of prior happiness.
That was a lovely story.
I’ve never heard of these plums. Thanks for the introduction. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for them.
Oh i so love jamuns…i miss them
You should have a pic with the jamuns in your hand to give a sense of perspective to your readers
I had never heard of jamuns; I know the word only for gulab jamuns, which I’m guessing are named for their resemblance to the fruit?
I was born and grew up in England but have visited India many times on holiday to see family. I am familiar with many of the fruits my family enjoy – I remember climbing the guava tree in the garden and eating fruits pulled straight off the branch.
But jamuns are something I don’t know.
Then again, we always visited during cooler months, since the heat is hard for us to tolerate.
I’m guessing jamuns are in season now, hence why I never saw them?
Shaheen! Jamoons
I miss them so much. Sigh.
that is the first time i’ve ever seen jamuns! the color is gorgeous!
Nice story
I’ve had similar memories with tamarind. I’m not a big fan of the Jamun it somehow dries out the mouth like astringent. But my Grandma loves them and she always does the same: Eats them with salt.
I’ve never heard of these. Looks like olives to me.
I remeber buying this from the street vendour and enjoying them.
Hi Shaheen, I’ve never seen that fruit here but it sounds tasty.
It struck me funny when I saw this post’s title because when I say ” Indian summer ” I’m talking about a hot day in Autumn.
Great blog, keep up the good work!
Tom
Oh my Gosh!!! I have been craving this fruit for years now, when I left Guyana 28 years ago would have been the last time I had them. I loved eating this fruit with either salt or sugar. It’s fine alone, but I truly would give anything to have some jamuns. We called it jamoons. Would you please email me a very large batch, but fedex is preferred. Sil vous plait Shaheen! YUMMM!!
Kavey: I love your tree climbing story. Reminds me of days I visited my gradmum’s hometown with her and they had a guava tree as well. For fruits that I couldn’t reach I’d use a catapult.
I’m not sure of the etymology. I don’t see the common thread that binds the two together.
I’ve got cousins who only come down to India from England during December. I can imagine how hard it would be for you to tolerate the 40C sun here in May.
Plutosangel: Oh I’ve got a story with tamarind as well. But the white “vilayati” one. I haven’t seen them in Bombay though..
pigpigscorner: you’re quite right about the shape – they are like large black olives.
Anon: Oh no here – summer sets in when the rest of the northern hemisphere is enjoying Spring. What else would you call it when the weather is 40C!
Deborah: Only if they survived the trip and US wasn’t iffy about fruits! I’ve never tried them with sugar. Will try it the next time.
shaheen…I am enjoying these Jamuns in Bombay….
Does anyone have the receipe for making the wine
You know what Coco, I see jamuns in the shop everyday & it takes me back to our days as kids with purple lips & stained clothes.I'm yet to get over my phalsa craze…but am ready to move onto jamuns now that I've read your post. Hope you experiment with them soon. With the kids at home, my free hours have been severely cut down!! Sigh
I’ve seen these here in Brazil, in a farm at Minas Gerais! They are called jambolão, and the cook used to make a delicious jam with them…
We had a jamun tree where I grew up as a child in Trinidad. I thought it was a West Indian thing. I have not heard anyone talk about it until now. Cool…
Hi, I had Jamuns last week for the first time in 40 years, I now live in Perth West Australia. I actually have a tree growing in my yard, however it has not fruited as yet.
Can I please get the recipe for Jamun Wine.
my email is rgallagher@commerce.wa.gov.au
Cheers
Russell Gallagher
Its so fantastic to see my childhoods tiny fruits pictured in here… No, I’m not from India!
In my hometown in a Brazilian island, in Santos, Brazil, along some of the pluvial drainage channels that cross the entire city there are lots of jamuns trees; Sygynium jambolanum, we call it jambolão. There is a permanent dark blue stain on the cement sidewalk beneath the trees due the ripened fruits falling for ages in the summertime. Its a huge, beautiful tree and I love the memories of eating the intense crimson black fruits while getting back home from school. Thank you for bring back such great childhood memories!
I am loving how this post is bring back childhood memories for so many of us. I’m quite surprised these about these fruits having spread so far and wide. I absolutely *LOVED* reading all your stories.
In the Philippines, we call them duhat, or lomboy in another dialect. Different names, same childhood experiences!
My mom would do the same with Jamuns and I along with my siblings enjoyed them until our tongues were colored maroon
I miss them! Its been years, you have made my mouth water.
I haven’t had jamuns in over 30 years because I have not been in India in the summer. I wish there was a way to get them in U.S.A.
It's weird. I'm eating Jamuns now, posting something about childhood memories on another site and this post hits my surfing path…
I love purple …(oooooh someone pinch me!)
Huh, I've never seen these, but it's interesting to learn about them. Glad you commented on my blog, and let me find yours! Lovely photos.
Blackberries in usa come close to jamuns….but nothing like a real amun. I miss them too.
please tell me where I can purchase this jamuns seeds or fruit. My email address is eyjvaughn@hotmail.com
eyjvaughn: I'm afraid I can't help you with places to purchase the seeds. The fruit is only available from March through May…
I am from guyana.I had some jamoons this past weekend after 36 years in the USA.these were specially brought over from Guyana for me by my daughter's friend.I enjoyed them so much.
hi,
my mom is diabetic and i dont know where to buy jamuns in USA ,please please guide me if know where to buy these lovely fruits,,, please..it is urgent. so that i can buy seeds at least
MK
My email id is:- rocky_james2000@yahoo.com
I am from Georgetown Guyana, which is in South America. We had a Jamum (Jamoon)tree in our back yard. Honestly thought it was unique to Guyana…
My Gran used to make Jamun wine at home in Guyana…
Well I just had my very first taste of jamuns. Absolutely delicious and i was looking for a recipe for preparing juice with them but its gonna be hard as i keep eating them all,lol. I prepped mine with sugar and a little rum then eat them just like that,divine. Oh and this is in Barbados.
any recipes for jamun juice or wine would be appreciated. telcock3@hotmail.com
So good to read that this post is bringing back childhood memories for so many!
Anon 1:
Anon 2: Emailed you
Anon 3: And I though it was unique to the Indian subcontinent. How myopic are we!
Anon 4: Hope you come back to share your grandmom's wine recipe. There have been quite a few requests for it.
Anon 5: Nooo! I made a sorbet and juice, but nothing is better than having jamuns just the way they are, maybe with a little salt. The rum addition sounds interesting…
Anon 6: hope Anon 3 returns with it!
Hey Guess what!!! I have always loved Jamuns since I was a young girl growing up in a tiny African country called Zambia!! And I have to say that I have never seen Jamuns like that ever in India. They were huge and juicer than those found in India, which I have tasted, btw!! We had a tree in our back yard and our houseboy used to bring them down every day. Strangely, they are also available here in Florida where I live!! I recently had some, and planted the seeds, and hopefully someday they will bear fruit. It might take a while, but I hope some day!!! Kajal.
Hi Kajal,
Do you know where in Florida they sell Jamun or the jamun seed would be very much appreciated thanks.
anybody figured out how to get them in the USA? or where to find seeds to plant here? getting desperate for a bite & reminiscing the taste people!! Please help me!!
i have hundreds of small plants and seeds in Jamaica so if you ever come to Jamaica, contact me i need the recipe for the wine
i have been wondering about this fruit. My wife and I just moved into a house near Brownsville, Texas and we have a HUGE jamun tree in the yard. I had to look it up on the internet just to find out what it is. It puts out TONS of this fruit every year and we started wondering what they were when some people from India came to the house and asked if they could please pick some. we didn't know what they were but we said sure. anyone know how rare this tree is in the US? we were thinking about finding a local market that sells Indian food and seeing about selling some there. any advice? I am not sure what would be a fair price. also curious about how to serve it.
thanks,
doug
I would like to buy some Jamun seeds from you.
Please let me know when you have them.
Thanks.
Hey Doug, great to know you have successful Jamun tree growing in Texas ! I am in NJ – right next to Manhattan – and have a few baby jamun trees. They are a warm weather tree, so in winters I will have to bring them in.
What kind of weather do you have where this tree is ? What is the coldest it gets in winters ?
You would be able to EASILY sell the fruit to some Indian market – we Indians are just crazy about this fruit.
Thank in advance !
-Monu.
Hi Shaheen,
I was just plowing through my first Jamun-fest of the summer in Karachi and reminiscing about our Jamun picking days in the Lahore summer years ago. My husband and I are huge Falsa and Jamun fans, though he’s more partial towards Falsa. We googled Jamun to look up the English name for it. I guess there isn’t one, but how wonderful to see the fruit all over the map. I always thought it was indigenous to the Indian subcontinent as well.
All the recipes sound delicious. My mother used to sprinkle a bit of black salt(?) but I have them ice cold from the fridge with no frills.
So glad I stumbled upon your website. Will frequent more often. Now, let’s talk about Falsa, watermelon, chikoo and mangoes. Summer in our part of the world truly is heaven.
Aren’t the fruits we get here just the best? I’m really sad that this time the jamun harvest wasn’t as much as usual. I barely ate any. In fact, I hardly see any one selling it this season. Such a pity.
I was in Karachi way back in 1990 (all of 4 years old!) and I remember my aunt there had a jamun tree in her backyard! I’d stretch through the window to grab some.
I love it with black salt/rock salt too! Ice cold would be too cold for my teeth!
I’ve heard such good things about phalsa but haven’t had the opportunity to try it yet.
Hi Sam,
i have been looking for this tree for ages, and you have it right there in your front yard.
email me at saini123monica@yahoo.com
I would greatly appreciate. I really need the seeds of the fruit and I would not mind paying.
thank you
I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND I HAVE 10 OF THIS JAMUN TREE. IAM TRYING TO FIND OUT HOW TO MAKE WINE. COULD ANYBODY HELP ME. THE FRUIT TASTE GOOD STRAIGHT FROM THE TREE, I LOVE IT.
Do they sell Jamun Trees or seeds in the US? I am looking to grow my own tree….
Are you willing to sell one of the trees. I will trade you the wine receipe
Both – Jamun Trees (Baby Plants) and Jamun seeds are avialble on ebay.com . Just goto http://www.ebay.com, and search JAMUN.
Cheers !
-Monu.
I would love to have a recipe for Jamun wine which I would want to make at home in Delhi. Can someone please oblige Thanks in advance
can someone please provide a recipe for falsa(phalsa) wine. I loved these berries when I was a kid growing up in old Delhi in the early 60′s.
you still have time to make some Falsa wine if you can get them.I have been making alsa wine for the last 10 years and it has the perfect properties for making a very delicioous wine.
1 kilo falsa for every U S Gallon
1 kilo sugar
wine making easte perferably hot temperture resistent in Pakistan and India.
Take a kilo of meshed Falsa and water in a pot and boil for 2 minutes
Put a kilo of sugar in a food grade container and pour the hot Falsa and water over it then stur in the sugar.
When coold add yeast and cover and leave in must pushing the pulp down twice a day for up to 5 days ,then strain liquor a put into a fermentation wessele and put a Air lock leaving some space for it to vigour once stable then add some water to top it up to the neck,
itg can take up to 3 to 4 months to clear and the fermetntation to stop . Makes an exceptionel dry red mine that is out of this world ,
this resipe will make a wine around 10% you can mmake it stronger but you better be usin a S G meatre ,my reading with formula is around 1090..
could sopmeone please give me the recipie for Jamun win. thanks
It just dawned on me to look up jamoons (as we called it in Guyana) and got caught up in all this excitement and comments. As the Holiday are nearing and thinking of making Black Cake, I remembered my Mom making Jamoon Wine and using it in the Black Cake. I was the best thing and also remembered climbing the trees, picking and eating them with my hands teeth and clothes all stained.
This fruit brings back so much memories of growing up in the countryside in Guyana .
I thought I was alone in my obsession with jamoon. After years of enquiry, I had come to the conclusion that this fruit, which I consider ‘nectar from God’, was unique to Guyana. Oh well, we’re still the source of other unique things.
So obsessed am I by this fruit, that I have written a story from my childhood in which jamoon plays a central role. How I wish that role was maintained in my adulthood!
Hi, I too love jamuns and have intro’ed my kids to it. There’s a jamun tree in front of my house and the fruits fall on my car and stain them. Does anyone know how to clean them? My car-cleaner says that the stains are permanent
be careful while climbing Jamoon tree.
Thier branches are BRITTLE
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