Java plum (Syzygium cumini) has been a characteristic element of the landscape of southern Asia for centuries. The tree grows in the Indian subcontinent and reaches as much as 20-25 meters highcreating a dense crown that in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka often serves as a natural roof over country roads and temple courtyards.
Word jamun (also found as jambul, jamoon or java plum) comes from Hindi and Urdu, and its meaning includes both the fruit and the tree of Syzygium cumini. In Hindi it also functions as a color name – a very deep purple turning into blackreferred to as jamuni rang, used to describe fabrics, jewelry or the evening sky.
Java plum fruits ripen during intense sunlight, acquiring a deep, almost inky color. Their skin is smooth and shiny, and the flesh is juicy, elastic and rich in anthocyanins.which are responsible for the characteristic color and high antioxidant activity. The taste of jamun is a combination sweet notes with distinct acidity and slight tartnesswhich is why the fruit is often compared to our Hungarian fruit, although its aroma is more mineral and intense.
In Poland, jamun is a niche product, but its availability is gradually increasing thanks to importers of exotic fruits and stores specializing in functional food. Easiest to buy dried fruit, seed powder or extracts — especially in herbal stores and online platforms with Ayurvedic products. In large cities, including in Warsaw, Kraków and Wrocław, fresh fruit imported seasonally is also becoming more and more common, usually in June and July.
They are also available for sale online seedlingswhich do well in home conditions, as long as we provide them with a lot of light and a stable temperature. A tree grown in a pot can bear fruit after a few years, and its price ranges from PLN 50 to PLN 100.
Java plum is a fruit with low calories and high nutritional value. In 100 grams there is approx 60 kcaland energy comes mainly from natural carbohydrates and fiber, which supports intestinal peristalsis, regulates cholesterol levels and stabilizes blood sugar levels. Jamun also delivers vitamin C, vitamin Asmall amounts B vitamins (especially B1, B2 and B6), as well as minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron i phosphorus. This is a set that supports immunity, muscle function, electrolyte balance and metabolic processes.
The deep purple color of the skin is due to its presence anthocyanins — strong antioxidants that protect cells against aging and oxidative stress. They are also found in the pulp and seeds polyphenols, flavonoids, tanninsas well as compounds characteristic of jamun, such as jambolina i gallic acidwhich have been of interest to scientists for years due to their metabolic potential.
Study conducted in 2025 (“Syzygium cumini (Jamun): A comprehensive exploration of its nutritional and medicinal attributes“, showed that jamun extracts can lower blood glucose levels, support the functioning of the pancreas and improve the functioning of the body’s natural defense systems. The authors also describe that the seed powder was well tolerated in toxicological studies, and initial clinical tests in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes showed improvement in glycemic parameters – although there were mild side effects, such as nausea and diarrhea.
A second pivotal study, also in 2025, published in the journal Plants (“Evaluation of Antioxidant, Xanthine Oxidase-Inhibitory, and Antibacterial Activity of Syzygium cumini Linn. Seed Extracts“, conducted by an international team from Nepal, the USA and Japan. Scientists have shown that jamun seed extract has a very strong antioxidant effect – almost as strong as pure vitamin C — and can inhibit the xanthine oxidase enzyme, which is responsible for the formation of free radicals and inflammation. Its excessive activity leads to damage to blood vessels. Reducing this process is a real benefit for the cardiovascular system. Moreover, the extract had an antibacterial effect, effectively inhibiting the growth of various bacteria – both those more common on the skin and those typical of internal infections.
Java plum fruits taste best as a light snack after a meal. They go well with natural yogurt, walnuts or almondsand in fruit salads they provide a clear counterpoint to the sweetness of mango, banana or pineapple. In shape juice the smoothie jamun shows a completely different face. By combining the fruit with apple, grapefruit or celery, we will obtain a drink with a clean, fresh flavor profile. The addition of chia seeds will naturally increase the fiber content and prolong the feeling of satiety.
In India, the use of Java plum seed powder is also popular. Mix ½-1 teaspoon of powder with water or kefir. By drinking such a drink every day, we naturally support the regulation of blood sugar levels.
We can also prepare jamunu for it jelly, jams with reduced sugar content, cocktails and desserts. However, it is worth exercising moderation in sweetening – excess sugar weakens the natural properties of the fruit and overpowers its characteristic, slightly tart taste. People with a sensitive digestive system should start with small portions, as larger amounts of fresh fruit may cause flatulence. This is a natural result of the high fiber content and the presence of tannins.
Java plum seeds are also used in the form of oil, and the leaves are brewed like tea. It is worth knowing that there are several varieties of this fruit: classic Indian Syzygium cuminiwhite, more delicate in taste Syzygium jambos and Asian Myrtus syzygiumvalued for its intense aroma. There is also jamun in Indian cuisine pickled in brinethanks to which it acquires a distinctive, slightly spicy taste and becomes an intriguing addition that enlivens many traditional dishes.
Sources: Terazgotuje.pl, NIH, MDPI
