Summers are here, and our beloved childhood fruit has hit the market. Yes, we are talking about Jamun or Java Plum Recipes. Well, Jamun is not just a fruit, it’s all kids’ nostalgia! 

Jamun, the Indian Black Plum or Malabar Plum, is a juicy, sweet, and unique Indian berry that pops into our mouth. It is utterly delicious, and this bold bursting flavor has tremendous health benefits. 

Well, my favorite childhood memory is- having a bowl of Juicy Jamun with black salt. I can have it anytime- Yum! But to seduce my taste buds, we have compiled sweet and savory recipes of Jamun to cherish them the whole season. So, without much ado, let’s jump into the treats, but before know-

How do I choose jamun fruit? 

Here are some tips for picking a ripe dark purple, practically black, juicy, and delicious Jamun: 

• Look for the color. It should be a deep purple, skip green. It is the best indicator that the fruit is ripe. 
• The outer layer of jamun should be smooth, shiny, and firm. Dark, wrinkled, old, or damaged.
• Gently press the fruit, it should not be mushy.
• The stem of the jamun should be brown and dry. Avoid green stems. 

Health Benefits of Jamun 

This purple oval-shaped berry is rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and Flavonoids. Nutritionists say their clients have them for better digestion, immunity, heart health, diabetes and weight management. 

Here’s a look at some of the reasons to incorporate this summer fruit into your diet:

1. Blood Sugar Management- Jamun seeds and fruit contain anthocyanins and gallic acid that helps in regulating blood glucose. Studies suggest it may improve insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in cells, Beneficial for diabetic people. Also, many Ayurvedic doctors recommend taking dried jamun seed powder to lower blood sugar levels.
2. Digestive Aid- Jamun is rich in fiber and promotes a healthy digestive system by reducing constipation. It also soothes stomach discomfort.
3. Immunity Booster- Jamun is rich in Vitamin C that strengthens the immune system and helps the body fight infections. Vitamin C also promotes collagen production, helpful for youthful skin.
4. Heart Health- It has potassium that helps in regulating blood pressure. Also, the antioxidants of jamun lowers bad cholesterol LDL.
5. Weight Management- Jamun is low in calories and high in fiber, so, it makes you feel fuller for longer, aiding in weight loss. It also regulates appetite hormones, so you don’t feel hungry all the time.

7 Delicious Jamun Recipes For This Summer

Introducing a collection of delightful jamun recipes to savor this summer! From refreshing beverages to delectable desserts, explore creative ways to enjoy this seasonal fruit’s unique flavor and nutritional benefits.

1. Jamun Lassi Popsicles ( By Surabhi Sehgal)

Have you ever thought of Jamun popsicles? Whenever I crave jamun, I either go to shops for frozen jamun shots or to Natural Ice cream outlets to try Jamun ice cream. Recently, I tried out a recipe that hit my taste buds hard- That’s Jamun Lassi Popsicles. How to make it? Let us see.

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups hung curd or thick yogurt
2. 20 Jamun
3. 3 tablespoons honey or sugar
4. A pinch of cardamom (optional)

Method– Wash, dry, and deseed jamun. Blend and sieve the pulp. Add yogurt, cardamom, and honey in a mixing bowl with the jamun pulp. Mix it and transfer it to the popsicle molds. Freeze for 8 hours and enjoy healthy ice candy!

2. Jamun Chia Jam (By Chef Vaishali Chhabra)

If jamun is your favorite fruit, you may enjoy it year-round- by making this jamun jam. We have tried pineapple, strawberry, kiwi, and apple jam, but why not make this unique jamun one at home?

Ingredients:

1. 2 tablespoon chia seeds
2. 1 cup jamun pulp
3. 1 cup water
4. 1 tablespoon sugar (as per taste)

Method– Soak chia seeds for 20 minutes in a cup of water. Till then, prepare for Jamun sauce. Take a saucepan and add jamun pulp. Stir it on a low flame until the pulp thickens, add sugar, and cook for 5 minutes turn the flame off and add chia seeds. Let it cool and put it in the refrigerator to serve it chilled. Spread it on bread or chapati, as you like!

3. Jamun Cheesecake Bites ( By Tanishqa Vaish- Food Blogger)

Do you love cheesecakes? Then we are sure you are going to love this jamun cheesecake recipe. 

Ingredients:

1. For base- 1 cup crushed Marie biscuit or any digestive biscuit of your choice
2. ¼ cup melted butter
3. Filling- ¾ cup smooth cream cheese
4. ¼ cup heavy cream
5. ½ cup condensed milk
6. 2 tsp vanilla extract
7. ¾ tablespoon corn flour
8. Jamun jam for decoration

Method– Use silicone sheets or butter paper to line the cake pan. Mix melted butter and marie biscuit crumbs and press it down for the cake crust. Let it sit in the fridge for 15 minutes to set.

Now, preheat the oven to 160* and prepare the filling. For that, whip cream and cheese together, until it starts forming peaks. Add condensed milk, vanilla extract, and cornflour slowly and mix it with a cut-and-fold method. Pour it on the crust and tap it to release air. 

Fill a deep tray with hot water, and place this cake tin on it. Ready to bake it for 30-40 minutes or check until the filling sets. Once baked, leave it on the kitchen top to cool down and refrigerate it for at least two hours. Decorate with jamun jam and bingo!

4. Jamun mousse ( By Neeta Venkatesh- home chef and food blogger)

Want some dessert in no time with fewer ingredients? Try this jamun mousse:

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup jamun puree
2. ¼ cup sugar
3. 1 tsp vanilla extract
4. 1 tablespoon gelatin or agar agar
5. 1 cup whipping cream

Method– Start by combining sugar and jamun puree. Take 2 tablespoons of hot water and mix it in the gelatin ( or microwave it until dissolved). Let it cool and mix in whipping cream along with jamun puree. Whip it until it peaks and serve chilled. 

5. Jamun Sheera ( By Barsha Priyadarshini- Food Blogger)

I bet you have tried mango sheera, kesar sheera, or pineapple sheera before but not jamun halwa. Do you want to try it? Check the list.

Ingredients:

1. ½ cup semolina
2. ½ cup sugar
3. 2 tablespoon ghee
4. ¼ cup jamun pulp 
5. 1 cup water
6. ½ tsp cardamom powder
7. A pinch of salt
8. Dry fruits (cashews, almonds, raisins)

Method– In a pan, add ghee and roast dry fruits. Take it out and add the jamun pulp to the same pan. Add water and boil it. Now add semolina and cook it. Add a pinch of salt, cardamom, and dry fruits. Add sugar and cook for another few minutes until sugar melts. Enjoy your sheera!

6. Jamun Gin ( By Priyankha Balaji)

What’s better than a flavored gin on Saturday night? 

Ingredients:

1. 60 ml gin
2. 20 ml jamun syrup
3. 15 ml lemon juice
4. Club soda 

Method– Take a jug, add gin, jamun syrup, and lime juice. Give it a good mix and pour it in the glass, top it with some chilled club soda.

7. Kala Khatta ( By Chef Kunal Kapur)

You might have tried Aam Panna or nimbu shikanji before but have you tried jamun drinks? This is a summer essential refreshing drink by celebrity Chef Kunal Kapur. 

Ingredients:

1. ½ kg jamun
2. 2-liter water
3. ½ cup sugar
4. Salt to taste
5. ¼ teaspoon black pepper
6.  ½ teaspoon black salt
7. 1 ½ tsp roasted jeera ( cumin powder)
8. ¼ tsp lemon juice
9. Some mint leaves and ice cubes

Method– Wash jamuns and add them to the boiling water. Add all the spices like salt, black salt, roasted jeera powder, kali mirch powder, and sugar. Simme it for 15 mins and switch off the flame. 

Let it cool, and mash the pulp to separate jamun seeds in the pan. Sieve the juice in another container. Mix lemon juice and salt or sugar if required. Garnish it with mint leaves and ice cubes- the refreshing Kala Khatta is ready. 

Also Read: Explore the Flavours of Indian Snacks: A Tasteful Journey

Conclusion-

Jamun’s versatility extends beyond its health benefits. You can enjoy it fresh, dried, or juiced. It can also be incorporated into jams, jellies, yogurts, and even savory dishes! 

If you crave for these, but if you don’t have jamun available with you- either go for jamun puree available in the market or frozen jamun packs). Also, you can substitute many jamun recipes with cherries as they have similar taste and texture. For example- you can make cherry gin, cheesecake bites, mousse, etc. 

Think out of the box! Innovate, make mistakes, and learn! Do not forget to share these summer jamun recipes with your friends. Enjoy the Jamun season!