Jambhul/ Black Plum : Fruit of the Gods.

“Jambhul/ Black Plum Fruit” … a delicious summer fruit that is rightly called the “Fruit of the Gods” as it is rich in minerals, vitamins and nutrients that help the body’s overall functioning … jambhul are in season now so are mangoes … while you enjoy the delicious juicy ripe mangoes which is heat producing it is advisable to follow them with a few juicy jambhul fruits too as being a coolant it balances the body heat … that’s the beauty of nature, the very reason for sending them in pair … they are in season now, go ahead and savor this fruit to your heart’s content … Yummilicious ….

** Jambhul (as known in konkani saraswat community) is also known as Jamun, Jamli, Java Plum, Blackberry, Black Plum, Jambolan, Jambus, Java, Kala Jamun in different parts of the country as is the language followed there. These are small tropical fruits belonging to Myrtaceae family and are largely available in two varities ie with white flesh and with purple flesh. Jamun is rightly called the “Fruit of the Gods” as it is rich in minerals, vitamins and nutrients that help the body’s overall functioning. Jamun regulated sugar level and is one of the best diabetic friendly fruit.

** There are innumerable health benefits in this small fruit which varies from an inch to 2 inches in size. When consumed in minimum quantity it is believe to increase hemoglobin, keep the heart healthy, treat digestive issues etc. There are many more health benefits that can be obtained both from the fruit as well as the seed within, not to mention the lovely taste. It is one of the best summer fruits that acts as a coolant and eating a few daily can really do wonders to body. Mangoes and Jambhul are nature’s way of sending as a couple for most of the heat issues due to heat.

** While excess consumption of mangoes increases body heat, a few jambhul can cool the same very well, the very reason why many consume these fruits back to back to balance the body heat from within. With the coming in of technology and spreading of knowledge the demand for the same increases which leads to production of the same in different methods. Jambhul capsules and fruit juice both of the flesh and the seed are commercially available promising medical benefits, however it is my belief that unless inevitable it is best to consume them fresh when in season.

** Enjoy this fruit when in season without going by its color or fearing it gives your tongue on relishing, it’s just awesome, one of my favorite fruit, in fact I love this fruit much more than the sweet mangoes. These are available in small, medium and large sizes and the one you see in the picture is of medium size while we do get a little bit larger ones too. The smaller ones are at time not so fleshy and soft while the medium and larger ones are great. The joy in eating the soft smooth and delicious juicy flesh that has a distinct taste of it own is something one should experience on their own.

** The Jambhul tree is large in size however the branches that yield fruits are lighter in weight and fruits are often clubbed together, there are many You Tubes with details on the plucking method of the same which you can check out on if you want more knowledge. In olden days I guess a person used to climb the tree and and try plucking it with a long rod to which a sickle was attached along with a large bag, which helped the jamuns to fall into it when pulled with the sickle. A risky as well as tricky way nevertheless was done to perfection by the experienced person doing the job to perfection.

** This is so because if the fruits fell down on ground they would be damaged and it not be fit for sale nor consumption turning it into a major loss. I believe these days a large fine net is attached all round the tree about 2-3 feet above ground level and with enough width to cover the tree on all sides, this way the plucked ones with sickle fall directly into the net and remain intact without being crushed. Well, I remembered circus show when I saw this, remember how the people who would swing on the bar from one end to another with hanging support and the net below would protect them against accidents.

** I remember during childhood we would place a large clean cloth well covered under the tree, and pray they would fall down intact, while we tried to shake the branches with a long wooden rod. We did manage to get quite a lot, some damaged, some intact, nevertheless good for consumption as we had covered the area with clean cloth, our way of hygienic eating. Well, those are indeed memorable days when we enjoyed playing outdoors all morning without bothering about heat with our neighbors during summer vacations unlike nowadays, were children hardly know about them.

** There are many recipes that can be tried out using Jambhul/ Black Plum and I have successfully prepared juices, lassi, curds, salad, ice cream etc. and sure to try out more ideas which I will keep sharing.  I am sharing a common link to Jambhul below here were in you find them all back to back, you can check them out in leisure and try them out and enjoy with your family and friends. Do relish them and see to it that your children do so to this summer as the season of it has already begun. Go ahead and have them before they are gone, we always need to relish seasonal fruits.

** Sharing below the common link to "Jambhul" fruit recipes prepared by me, you may browse through and try them out in leisure ... they are all awesome, do try it and enjoy with your family and friends ......

https://gayathrifoodbytes.blogspot.com/search?q=jambhul

** Disclaimer : These are just a few thoughts of my own which I love to write from time to time. I have written this topic on "Jambhul/ Black Plum" fruit to the best of my knowledge and that what I read about. However, I request all those of you to always follow your Doctor’s advice on consumption of the same if you are having any health issues. Never go by what you read, they are written in larger interest of common people without any ailments. Do excuse if there are lapses in the article or are incorrect, it is not my intention to hurt anybody’s sentiment or knowledge.