season that I look forward to, for this annual garden rite
of passage. The season may be short-lived but like all
garden produce, it re-affirms the faith that we have in
the good-ness of the soil...and in gardening.
The Indian Blackberry or Jamun (in Hindi), is sweet when
its fully ripe.
The first ones to ripen. Just a few at a time.
Many birds come to have their fill but when they realize
I'm around, they fly away...
...or turn away.
Even this butterfly tucked its proboscis in and perched itself
on a nearby plant. Ah, well! Every day isn't the same.
The first picking. Followed by many more, all sent to
relatives and friends--with compliments of the berry
season.
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25 comments:
Do you make special recipes with the berries? They sound delicious Kanak.
I think I know this as Java Plum (Syzgium cumini). And that the seeds are used in the Ayurveda system of medicine.
How tall do the trees get?
just bought the last two bottles of Jamoon syrup just today. The syrup taste really great on french toast, waffles, in smoothies on ice cream. To make the wine get a large covered plastic or ceramic container. Place several cups of jamoon...do not wash. add sugar to the top about 1 cup to every two cups of jamoon add cinamon cloves and other spices. cover and leave in a dark place for 21 days and no longer. Remove jamoon and spices strain and bottle. A delicious wine that will make skunk drunk LOL.
It is so nice to just pick from the trees. Looks yummy.
Donna
Hi Kanak~
Those berries sound absolutely divine! I will have to investigate growing this in my garden. Fun pictures too!
I've never heard of these before. They remind me of little grapes.
Oh, those berries look delicious! I'll have some please. LOL! Looks like you are enjoying the season. Yippeeee!
Hmm... they do looks like grapes to me. But I think the taste should be very different. Best when eaten fresh? or you cook them?
Your berries look great!Reminds me of home,how dad we pick the good ones for us:)We hardly find them here.Plans are on for a visit home in Nov.
Ruby
Mildred, sometimes I make juice out of them but mostly we have the ripe ones. They need to be fully ripe otherwise they do not taste good.
Prospero, it goes by several names and yes, that's one of them. The seeds are used by diabetics. The tree reaches heights of 30mts. but mine is about 16ft tall. I'll have to get it pruned after the fruit-bearing season is over. We are close to the power lines and also, it'll be easier to pick the fruit.
Helen, you're a sweetheart! Thank you so much for the recipe! A friend of mine does that with bananas (not the same recipe but good enough) and it has a strong flavour. I wonder why no jamun squash/jam/juice are not available in my part of our country. Truth is I've had them, the juice too, fresh only! Can't wait to try your recipe....!!! Thanks a ton!
Donna, oh yes, and thank you for stopping by.
Karrita, I'm sure it'll do well but please plant the sweetest variety (which I have) otherwise you'll be disappointed. Loved to read your comment on the other photos.
Susie, sometime back(Feb/09) when I had responded to Tina's "Signature Plant" series, I had picked the Indian Blackberry. Some commented that they looked like olives too.
Wendy, oh I am!! And I felt exactly that about you when I checked out "Garden Fun":)
Steph, not cooked. We love them fresh and (over)ripe!! They're unlike grapes but the taste is lovely.
Ruby--ah, made you think of home! Will be glad to see you all in November. Looking forward to that.
They look so delicious! I wish I had a big bowl right now.
Oh Tina, I wish you could taste them!!! The fruit of my "Signature Plant"...a connection with you that'll always remain!
Thank you, thank you. I just LOVE discovering fruit and veg which are new to me! I have not heard of Indian blackberries before, Now I have! Thank you for sharing, today was a good day!
My mouth is watering just looking at them! Purple is the best color! I wish you a long and "fruitful" berry harvest. Enjoy!
Wow, exciting! I've never heard of these berries before. I wonder if we could grow these in Northern California. Time to do some research!
Just love this blog! Lovely photos.
hi kanak-those berries are so sweet and delicious-everybody enjoyed them including Raja!-thanks for bringing them over on my birthday.
What pretty berries!! Isn't it wonderful to pick from your own corner of the earth? (love that bird and butterfly photo;)
Well, I've no idea what they taste like but they look yummy! Like others have said, they remind me of grapes and also black olives.
Your previous post is gorgeous with all the lovely blooms, and I love the bright and cheerful Sunflowers. It is fascinating to see the things you can grow outside that we can't, I have a very similar Anthurium as a houseplant although I must admit I have one that I thought had died, which I put outside the back door to throw away and it seems to be liking it, so maybe the answer here is to put them out during the Summer. Also the Ficus is only grown as a houseplant here, they used to be very trendy but seem out of favour now.
Thank you all so much! LOVED reading your comments. Will visit you soon. To my first time visitors, a big 'thank you' once again.
Indrani, I'm so glad to know you loved them. Will see you soon. Take care.
Amazingly yummy pictures! Your dragon fly pictures reminded me of the following quote:
"Deep in the sun-searched growths the dragon-fly
Hangs like a blue thread loosened from the sky."
- ante Garriel Rosetti, Silent Noon
In your case, it would be a red thread.
My mouth is watering looking at your berry photos! Lovely butterfly! Harvesting our own food is so wholesome... makes life so rich! Enjoy your berries.
Weeping Sore, thank you so much for visiting and for including that lovely quote. "Silent Noon" is apt in a way too!:) Because most of the insect pictures are taken on still, silent afternoons, when souls do not stir because it's only maniacs like me who dare to brave the heat!!!!
Carol, agree with you wholly! Thanks. There's little that I can harvest but every bit brings so much joy-in consuming, in sharing...
Are there seeds in them? They look yummy! It was interesting that you said they are sweet when fully ripe. I've noticed that many berries taste the best when they are very ripe, and need to be eaten before they spoil.
I hope you are having a great weekend! I see it's Sunday there!
Sue, the seeds are quite big. That's right-- about eating them just before they spoil. Although I don't do anything with the seeds here, they are used as a remedy for certain ailments by many Indians. Many people believe that the consumption of the seeds (dried and ground) in powder form helps towards keeping diabetes under control. The seeds have a bitterish taste.
Wish you a great weekend too! And happy gardening!
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