India, July 15 -- This monsoon, India is witnessing something of a jamun boom. An unusually abundant 2026 crop has flooded fruit carts and markets with the deep-purple fruit, while also fuelling viral folklore that heavy fruiting signals an impending drought. Botanists, however, say the bumper harvest is more likely a result of the dry pre-monsoon conditions that aided flowering, pollination and fruit set, reflecting weather that has already occurred rather than predicting the rains ahead.

The abundance has also put the spotlight back on one of India's most nutrient-rich seasonal fruits. Packed with anthocyanins, fibre, vitamin C and essential minerals, jamun is being championed by nutritionists as an ideal fruit for the rainy season, wh...