The fruit with a hundred seeds and just as many health benefits
The pomegranate isn’t known as “the fruit of the gods” for no reason. Not only is it bursting with vitamins and antioxidants, but its jewel-like, ruby red seeds make any dish more beautiful.
If pomegranate is included in a recipe, it is often the seeds that are sprinkled over the dish for their beautiful colour, the burst of juice and the slightly sour or bittersweet taste. But the fruit is more than a visual accent, full of nutrients, it is a great addition to your diet.
The antioxidant content of pomegranates is so high, that even well-known foods such as blueberries and red wine, which are known for battling free radicals in the body, pale in comparison. Free radical interceptors eliminate the damage to the body and cells by oxygen compounds caused by UV rays or pollution. Consuming pomegranate seeds protects your cells and can even help to prevent illness caused by environmental damage.
Class |
punica |
Calories |
83 kcal per 100 g |
Nutrients |
19 g carbohydrates, 4 g fibre, 1,2 g fat, 1,7 g protein per 100 g |
Season |
September-December |
Storage |
store at room temperature |
Shelf life |
intact a ripe fruit can last weeks, in a cool, slightly damp room even months |
Pomegranates grow on thorny trees that are often used for decorative purposes due to their bell-shaped, red flowers. To grow fruit, the pomegranate tree requires a warm climate and today these trees predominantly grow in the Mediterranean and Middle East. The origin of the tree is unclear, but is suspected to be the Near East and Central Asia. One thing is sure: the pomegranate has enjoyed cultural significance for centuries, mentioned even in the bible as a symbol of power, youth and beauty.
Only the ruby red, juicy pomegranate seeds are edible, not the leathery peel of the fruit. Peeling a pomegranate actually damages the seeds, so it’s better to halve the pomegranate and then extract the seeds by tapping on the peel using a wooden spoon, or to hold the fruit under water and then break the seeds out. Both methods stop the juice from spraying, as pomegranate stains are hard to remove from clothing and other textiles.
For the first method, simply hold the fruit over a bowl and lightly tap the peel. The seeds will fall out of the fruit and into the bowl. For the second method fill a bowl with water and then submerge the fruit, carefully breaking it up and releasing the seeds from the pith, the white layer of skin surrounding the seeds. The seeds will float to the bottom of the bowl while the pith floats on top, making it easy to separate them.
Getting the seeds out of the fruit may seem like a strenuous task, but it is worthwhile. The high polyphenol content makes the pomegranate rich in antioxidants, which have anti-inflammatory properties and can even slow down ageing. The fruit also contains potassium, iron, vitamin C and vitamin E. With so many valuable nutrients it’s no wonder that the fruit is also said to reduce blood pressure and fight joint disease amongst many other illnesses.
The healthy seeds of the pomegranate can be used for sweet and savoury dishes alike. They are a juicy yet crunchy addition to muesli, provide a sour contrast to the sweetness of chocolate in desserts, and go particularly well in Asian salads with mint and couscous. Similar to cranberries, pomegranate seeds are also a nice addition to a roast with cheese. A small drop of pomegranate juice in a glass of champagne transforms the colour and is a delicious drink.
RELATED TAGS
MyFooby Login
You must log in to your MyFooby account to save recipes. Still no account? Register now!
Log in with Supercard IDNo Supercard ID yet?
The Supercard ID is the unique login for all of Coop’s digital services.
Register for Supercard IDChoose a cookbook
Like this recipe?
ith myFooby, you can not only access your saved recipes on all your devices, but also save interesting stories and helpful cooking instructions and easily refer back to them.
L'article te plait ?
ith myFooby, you can not only access your saved recipes on all your devices, but also save interesting stories and helpful cooking instructions and easily refer back to them.
Do you want to remove this recipe?
Do you want to delete the recipe permanently and remove it from all cookbooks?
Supprimer l'article complètement ?
Do you really want to delete this article from your cookbook?
Successfully saved!
Saving failed!
Please log in!
Log on now – easily and conveniently – to FOOBY with your Supercard ID, save the shopping list on all your devices and benefit from additional advantages.
The recipe has been saved in your shopping list under myFOOBY.
Unfortunately, the shopping list was not saved.
Like this recipe?
Now you can user your Supercard ID to log in to FOOBY easily and conveniently and make use of all the functions and advantages.
Choose a cookbook:
L'article te plait ?
ith myFooby, you can not only access your saved recipes on all your devices, but also save interesting stories and helpful cooking instructions and easily refer back to them.
Supprimer l'article complètement ?
Do you really want to delete this article from your cookbook?
Remove recipe?
Do you really want to remove this recipe from the cookbook?
Delete the entire recipe?
Do you really want to delete this recipe from your cookbook?
Successfully saved!
Like this recipe?
Log in with your Supercard ID to have access to a cookbook with your favourite recipes from all your devices.
L'article te plait ?
ith myFooby, you can not only access your saved recipes on all your devices, but also save interesting stories and helpful cooking instructions and easily refer back to them.
