In the days gone by, eminent poets challenged their contemporaries in the literary field, in order to establish their supremacy. They would then call out their challenge by planting a sapling of the Jujubes or Naval tree on a sandy riverbed before beginning the poetic wordy duel.

The Jujubes tree, which is native to India thrives easily on hardy tropical regions and is found in all parts of our subcontinent as well as countries of South-East Asia and Eastern Africa. The tree botanically identified as Syzygium cumini is known by several local names such as Jambas, Jamun, Rajaman, Kala Jamun, Neredu, Naval, Nerale, Jamali, Black plum and Black berry. From times immemorial the fruit has been appreciated for its unusual taste, flavor and color. Children are fond of the fruit and its property of coloring the tongue purple when sucked. Other appreciate the fruit for its medicinal qualities especially its value in treatment of diabetes.

The Jujubes tree is a large evergreen, grown widely in the Northern plains, and Cauvery delta of Tamilnadu. Odd and scattered trees are mostly found in the plantations and along streams, damp places and swamps. Self-sown seeds germinate in the rainy seasons after dispersal by birds and animals. Another common way of growing Jujubes is to plant them as shade trees near houses or on roadsides. The fruit ripens in June-July and the tree continues to give fruits for 60-70 years.

The Jujubes fruit is generally of an attractive purple color. It is sub-acid to sweet, in taste. It is available in plenty, is cheap and very common in both village and city markets. The fruit is picked almost daily and sent to the market the same day, as it is highly perishable and cannot stay in good condition for more than two or three days.

Of the several types, the most common variety is Ra-Jaman bearing big oblong, deep purple of bluish fruits with pink, grayish, juicy sweet pulp and small-stones. Another is the inferior Kaatha, bearing small fruits with acidic pulp. Improved varieties have also been developed; these bear purple to violet or white, seedless fruits.

The Rose apple (syzygium jambos) is another tree belonging to the same species. These fruits known as Gulab Jamun, Perunabal, are very popular because of their rose flavored pulp. Rose apples are almost as big as apples; they have a pale colorless crisp flesh, often tasteless. The shrub is usually grown in home gardens because it is very ornamental.

The edible portion in Jujubes fruit forms around 70 per cent of the whole fruit. Glucose and fructose are the principal sugars in the ripe fruit and not even a trace of sucrose is detected. It is a fairly good source of vitamin C and mineral salts. The waxy portion of the fruit and fresh leaves yields an oil with an odor like unripe mangoes.

Jujubes is believed to be of special use in the treatment of diabetes. The extracts of the bark, seeds and also leaves are used. Aqueous extract of the seeds is reported to cause marked, prolonged decrease in blood sugar, when injected into dogs. Experiments carried out at Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, showed that oral administration of dried alcoholic extracts of the seeds to diabetic patients reduces the level of blood sugar and glycosuria. Fresh seeds appeared to be superior to dried ones. Jujubes seeds are fairly rich in protein and calcium. Jamun flowers are an important source of good quality honey which is amber colored.

Extracts from bark of the Jujubes tree have a moderate antibiotic activity. The bark is astringent and is used for gargles and mouth washes. A decoction of the bark and powdered seeds is considered useful in the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery.

Jujubes is acidic. It is eaten usually after sprinkling salt. Fresh fruits are tasty but they can be preserved in the form of fruit candies and jams. Fruits are used for making preserves, squashes and jellies. The juice of unripe fruit is used to make vinegar, which has attractive color, good flavor, taste and aroma. Ripe fruits are often made into good wines especially in Goa. Jujubes trees are usually planted along roadsides and in coffee plantations because of the shade they give and as windbreakers in fields.