EVENT: FOODIES_ REDOING OLD POSTS #47
RECIPE: JAMUN/ JAVA PLUM SMOOTHIES
Jamun/ Java Plum Smoothies are nutritious, healthy refreshing and delicious.As these plums tend to be sweet, you don’t need to add any sugar to the smoothies. These smoothies are an excellent breakfast or snack option especially during the hot season.
What Are Jamun?
These Jamuns are not the sweet syrupy balls – Gulab Jamun. Jamun is a blackish purplish fruit that grows on evergreen tropical trees. The scientific name is syzygium cumini. Also known as Black Plum, Jambolan, Jambool, Java Plum, Jambu or Malabar Plum.
The wood from the jamun tree is used favored as the common wood to use for railway sleepers or the install motors in wells as after drying, the wood is water resistant. Being an evergreen tree, it is also used as an ornamental tree. The fruit, drupe or plum is green when unripe and slowly turns to pink, and then to shining crimson red and black. The fruit is sweet, mildly sour and astringent in flavour. As kids we really didn’t care about the health benefits of the fruit. We were more interested in getting our tongues purple! Though some call this fruit the Indian Blackberry it is not a blackberry.
This plant is native to India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines, Nepal and Pakistan. Saplings were taken to Florida, Trinidad-Tobago, and some African Countries of which Kenya is one of them.
Health Benefits of Jamun/ Java Plum
- The fruit is rich in minerals like potassium, sodium and magnesium. These makes it beneficial for healthy heart and good for the circulatory system.
- Rich in iron, its helps to fight anemia.
- Its rich in dietary fibers, making it good for the digestive system.
- Has low glycemic index, making it an ideal fruit for diabetics.Helps to control sugar levels in the blood.
- These jamuns are rich in Vitamin C, helps to fight colds and coughs.
- Helps in the healthy growth of bones and teeth as it is a rich source of calcium.
- Java Plums are a rich source of antioxidants polyphenols and anthocyanins. These antioxidants have numerous health benefits.
Jamun/ Java Plums Season
Java Plums are not available throughout the year. In the season for these drupes lasts for a very short time. Also the farmers only pick the fruit when it turns crimson red or black. As the ripe fruit bruises very easily it is difficult to transport it. Known as Zambarau in Kiswahili, this is one fruit that is generally brought to the market, green grocer shops or to our doorsteps by the farmers themselves. To avoid bruising, they carefully pack them in between the evergreen leaves.
When in season I get my supply of zambarau from my veggie lady Esther. She brings them to our doorsteps, and sells about a cupful for just under 50cents. 250g is about $1! Esther personally doesn’t grow them on her farm but she helps to sell them on behalf of other farmers. She brings any seasonal fruits or vegetables to our apartment complex 6 days a week.
Fruit of the Gods
It is believed that during his 14 year exile Lord Ram lived on jamun for years. Temples constructed in the name of Lord Ram will have at least one jamun tree if not many. The God of the Clouds, Lord Megha is said to have to Earth in the form of a Jamun fruit, which is why the colour of this fruit is dark and fierce. Jamun is said to be Lord Krishna’s favorite fruit. His skin colour is often compared to the colour of jamun.
How to Use Jamun/ Java Plum
Best is to consume the fruit as it is. However, one can make smoothies and milkshakes using jamun. I love the jamun ice cream that Natural Ice Creams in India make. Jamun is also used to make jams, drinks (think kalakhatta), ice lollies, kulfi. The seeds are dried and powdered and consumed as a natural herbal treatment for diabetes, stomach ailments and asthma. Prepare a jamun sauce to serve with desserts or along with meat dishes.
Jamun/ Java Plum Smoothies
Whenever jamun are in season hubby and I love to enjoy the fruit on its own or in smoothies. Here, I will share with you two different jamun smoothie recipes. One is with fresh mango and using normal dairy milk. The other is with lemon and coconut milk. I add oats to both as we enjoy them for breakfast. Feel free to use ragi flour instead of oats. Add any other fruit of your choice. I sometimes add a banana, all depends on what fruit I have at hand.
THE GROUP FOODIES _ REDOING OLD POSTS
The Group Foodies_Redoing Old Posts, started by Renu helps the members to make an effort to update old posts. I’ve updated this post with better photo of the jamun smoothie and also have added jamun mango smoothie.
Updated on 02/04/2021. First Published on 01/02/2013
Some More Smoothie Recipes to Check Out:
- So a wide collection of smoothie recipes please visit my Instagram – @mayuri_jikoni. Under highlights look for smoothies.
- Chocolate Mango Smoothie
- Renu makes a delicious vegan Blueberry Banana Smoothie, adding apple, seeds, and water.
- Mango Yogurt Smoothie
- Banana Peanut Butter and Oats Smoothie
- Strawberry Finger Millet Smoothie
- Carrot Cake Smoothie
- Banana Mango Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients Required For Jamun/ Java Plum Smoothies
- Jamun/ Java Plums – without the seeds. The measurement of jamun is without the seeds.
- Ripe Mango – peeled and cubed
- Milk – Chilled. I’ve used dairy milk. Feel free to use any nut milk of your choice.
- Oats – for both the smoothies
- Coconut Milk – for the Jamun Coconut Smoothie
- Lemon – only the zest
- Honey – optional as it depends on how sweet the mango and jamun are.
- Chia Seeds – for the Jamun Mango Smoothie
- Cacao Nibs – for the Jamun Coconut Smoothie
- Some Ice Cubes – optional, if you want a chilled smoothie.
Dietary Tips:
- Gluten Free
- Vegan – if you use nut milk for both and replace honey with maple syrup, coconut sugar, etc.
- Diabetic friendly
JAMUN/ JAVA PLUM SMOOTHIES
Ingredients
FOR THE JAMUN COCONUT SMOOTHIE
- 1 cup jamun/java plums without seeds
- 1 cup coconut milk chilled
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 4 tbsp oats
- 1 tbsp honey optional
- 1 tsp cacao nibs
- some ice cubes optional
FOR THE JAMUN MANGO SMOOTHIE
- 1 cup jamun/ java plums without seeds
- ½ cup mango cubes ripe
- 1 cup milk chilled
- 1 tbsp honey optional
- 4 tbsp oats
- 1 tsp chia seeds
- some ice cubes optional
Instructions
PREPARATION OF THE JAMUN COCONUT SMOOTHIE
- Add jamun, coconut milk, lemon zest, oats into a blender jug. Add ice cubes and honey if you're using any.
- Process the mixture till its smooth and creamy.
- Pour into 2 serving glasses. Top with some cacao nibs and serve.
PREPARATION OF JAMUN MANGO SMOOTHIE
- Add jamun, 2 tbsp oats, ½ cup chilled milk and honey if you're using any into a blender jug. Add some ice cubes too.
- Blend till the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Pour the smoothie into two glasses half way.
- Rinse the blender jug.
- Add mango, remaining oats and milk into the jug. Add ice cubes too.
- Process the mixture to a smooth and creamy texture.
- Pour the mango smoothie over the jamun smoothie.
- Sprinkle with some chia seeds and serve.
Notes
- Replace dairy milk with any nut milk of your choice.
- Replace honey if using any with maple syrup, stevia, coconut sugar, etc.
- To remove the seeds from the jamun or java plums, you need to slice off the flesh using a sharp knife. Its a bit tedious but worth the effort.
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A little request:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
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- or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962