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Jamaican Hog Plum
Nutritional Facts And The Recipe For A Tasty Jam

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Jamaican Hog PlumJamaican Hog Plum (Photo By: The National Library of Jamaica)

by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

One fact about Jamaica that can never be contested, is that we have an abundance of fruits and vegetables. Sometimes, a majority of us are not even sure what the correct names are. One such delight despite its name is our Jamaican Hog Plums. 

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What Is Hog Plum In Jamaica?

Hog plums are small red, orange and sometimes green plums. They grow on large trees that grow up to 66 ft tall and also bear flowers. The hog plum fruit is usually around an inch and a half in length, thick and oval-shaped. Hog plums have a big seed in their centre, surrounded by orange flesh and thin outer skin. They are also called Governor Plum, Jujube and Spanish plum, but their scientific name is Spondias mombin.

Can You Eat A Jamaican Hog Plum?

Yes! Of course, you can. Hog plums are very tasty and juicy with a slightly tangy flavour. It is usually eaten raw and whole as a snack. Jamaicans sometimes sprinkle salt and pepper sauce on their hug plums before eating it. They are actually quite healthy too, so don’t allow the name to hinder you from giving it a try.

Where Is Hog Plum Found?

Hog plum is can be found in mainly tropical climate areas. They are found in countries like America, Jamaica and other Caribbean countries. It is also found in India, Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh.

In Jamaica, Hog Plum trees are grown mainly in the rural areas, many times they can be found lining the sides of the road. The fruits are typically picked by passersby and often sold by vendors in small portions on the street sides.

What Are The Benefits Of Hog Plum?

Hog Plums are highly nutritious and have a wide range of health benefits. They are packed with vitamins and minerals and would be a great addition to most people’s diets.

  • Vitamin C - they are rich in vitamin c which is a natural antioxidant and aids in reducing the risk of heart disease. A serving of hug plum provides up to 61% of the daily recommended intake for vitamin C.
  • Iron - A typical serving of  100g of hog plum provides up to 35% of the recommended daily intake of iron. Iron is a key player in the production of haemoglobin and myoglobin. 

While the fruit itself has great nutritional benefits, the other parts of the plant, including the bark and leaves have other benefits, some of which are medicinal.

  • Root - the root is of the hog plum tree is boiled to form a decoction that is commonly used as a form of laxative.
  • Bark - the bark of the plant is used to carve figurines, coffee holders and other ornaments. It is also used to treat diarrhoea, dysentery, haemorrhoids and gonorrhoea
  • Gum - the gum is typically used as a form of glue. Medicinally it has been used for cough, congestion and to get rid of tapeworm.

How Do You Use Hog Plum Leaves?

In some places, the leaves are cooked as vegetables. The leaves are also used to make tea for stomach aches, inflammation, and biliousness. In Belize, the young leaves of the hog plum tree are boiled and used as a remedy for diarrhoea. The leaves are also sometimes juiced or crushed and used for healing wounds.

Got some hog plums and not sure what to do with them before they go bad? Here is a recipe you can use to make some tasty hog plum jam.

Jamaican Hog Plum Recipe

INGREDIENTS

  • Granulated sugar
  • Glass jars for storing
  • Jamaican hog plums
  • Salt
  • Lemon juice

PROCEDURE

  1. Clean and chop your hog plums in 2.

  2. In a heavy saucepan combine your hog plums, sugar and salt then place over low heat.

  3. Stir occasionally as the sugar dissolves.

  4. Once the sugar has dissolved turn the heat up and bring it to a rolling boil.

  5. As the mixture boils, use a potato crusher to crush the hog plums as they soften.

  6. Add a small amount of lemon juice and continue stirring.

  7. To test if you jam is ready, once the mixture is thick enough that it starts to cling to your spoon, place a small amount onto a cold plate. Allow it to cool down a bit then push with your finger. If the surface of the jam wrinkles it is ready.

  8. If after testing your jam it is not ready, return to the heat for it to thicken up or add some pectin to the mixture.

  9. Once the jam is ready store it in a tightly sealed glass jar.

Your newly made jam can be had with bread, crackers or add it to your sauce or glaze for additional flavour.

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References & Sources For Jamaican Hog Plum

  1. Hog Plum Health Benefits, https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/hog-plum-health-benefits-12056.html  
  2. Medicinal and Economic Value of Spondias mombin, http://www.bioline.org.br/request?md08018  
  3. Five fruits you should be eating now | Loop Jamaica,https://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/five-fruits-you-should-be-eating-now-2

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