We bring information about another fruit tree that despite its excellent qualities to withstand almost any type of climate and soil, is still very little known in Spain.

Let’s unravel its characteristics and how to grow it so that you can have it in your garden and enjoy it. The jujube or jinjolero. You will be surprised by the qualities that its fruits offer.

ORIGIN AND ADAPTATION OF THE JUJUBE IN THE WORLD

Maybe you haven’t heard of jujubes. Perhaps the name of jínjoles is more common. If you did not know this fruit, today we present it to you. Ziziphus jujuba is its scientific name. It is originally from China but is already widespread and adapted to many parts of the world.

All of the Mediterranean and some regions of Asia, the Middle East or the USA cultivate it today, becoming in some cases feral.

In Spain it is not a fruit that is very popular. It is usually known by those who have a tree in their garden to enjoy it. So if you want to cheer up we give you some brief notes for its cultivation.

Its fruit is the size of a medium reddish-brownish olive (when ripe), with a slightly earthy pulp (similar to the apple) and with an elongated seed. It rusts quickly when opened.

Its flavor is acidic-sweet, although the former stands out more.

TIPS ON GROWING JUJUBE AND PRODUCTION OF JUJUBES

Well here we have the great advantage of this fruit tree. Plasticity and resistance to any climatic and soil conditions .

You can try its cultivation wherever you want because its flowering is very late (from mid-spring) and premature frosts in cold places will not affect this aspect.

CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JUJUBE

It has an exceptional resistance to long periods of intense heat and insolation. Its endurance far exceeds days that exceed 40-45ºC maximum temperature, so it is ideal for very hot places. On the other hand, it also withstands cold extremes very well so if you live in the north of the peninsula you will not have any problem.

SOIL AND DRAINAGE CONDITIONS

A drained and deep soil is optimal but thanks to its root strength it will also grow without problems in poor, dry, limestone, superficial and even saline soils near the sea. It is a marvel in terms of extreme conditions.

IRRIGATION

If we forget to water it, it will hold . It has very good resistance to drought as well. If we want it to grow optimally it is obvious that it must be watered regularly but we should not worry too much about the lack of water.

PRODUCTION AND MAINTENANCE PRUNING

Simply to keep it at bay, within the spatial limits that we have designed for it. Leave it free to control its growth.

As you can see, the growing conditions are unbeatable. If it were a little more resistant, it could even be planted in asphalt and it would surely succeed.

But like all crops in the world, we always have a but: its slow development . This tree will reach its full production when about 20 years pass. We can begin to collect fruit with good size at 5 or 6 years (depends on conditions).

Perhaps this is the reason why its cultivation is not very widespread for commercial purposes.

AND WHAT DO I DO WITH THE JUJUBES OR JÍNJOLES?

Its content in vitamin C and mucilage stands out. Considered and consumed as beneficial for catarrhal processes and respiratory conditions.

You can eat it fresh (the best), you can dry it and make dried jujubes, you can even make jams and marmalades although we will lose almost all the antioxidants (if you crush it, the oxidation will be in seconds).

Another use for jujubes is to make a jujube liqueur. A generous quantity of dried jujubes is placed in a bottle and filled with anise. Let marinate for a minimum of 6 months. You will get a rich jujube liqueur.

JUJUBE VARIETIES

The most common for the consumption of its fruit are:

• Ziziphus jujuba o Ziziphus zizyphus 
• Ziziphus maurianica
• Ziziphus lotus

As a last curiosity, its wood (among others) has been used for the construction of dulzainas, a traditional musical instrument of our country.