Pomegranate juice. Pomegranate tea. Pomegranate-scented candles. Pomegranate body-scrub. Even pomegranate-glazed pork roast. Suddenly, anything with pom is the bomb. Been intrigued by how this reddish-pink orb is supposed to thwart everything from high cholesterol to cancer? Us too. So here’s what a little research turned up.
It’s a fruit. An ancient one. In fact, some biblical scholars believe it was the “Chinese apple” (as it’s also called) that Eve used to tempt Adam in the Garden of Eden.
It’s best to open it underwater. Cut off the top of the pomegranate and slice it into four sections. Put these in a big bowl of water and gently separate the juice-filled seeds from the pith. (Doing so underwater keeps juice from squirting and staining your clothes or countertops.) Drain and save the seeds.
Eat the seeds, not the flesh. That’s right; it’s exactly the opposite of other fruits. There are almost 900 seeds or “arils” in the average pomegranate. You can chew and swallow them whole (or spit out the sacs), juice them straight up in a blender (or add to smoothies), sprinkle on salads, or freeze for later use in recipes (or as a refreshing snack).
Treat it like a coconut. The kids love this: Roll the pomegranate around gently but firmly on a hard surface. When you hear the seeds stop crackling inside, poke a hole through the rind with a knife or straw and enjoy it like a coconut. (If the rolling-around part gets too messy, do it inside a plastic bag.)
Believe (some of) the hype. Pomegranates contain polyphenols. These are powerful antioxidants that scientific studies have found reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. But as always, the fresher and less processed the food, the better it generally is for you. So pomegranate juice and even tea will probably boost your health, but pomegranate ice cream and martinis—well, don’t get your hopes up. Likewise with aromatherapy, shampoos, face creams, and other beauty products. In most cases, the supporting research is slim, and manufacturers are just trying to ride the pomwagon.
Limit your sips. Keep in mind that 1 cup of pomegranate juice has about 160 calories. It can also stain your teeth even worse than coffee. So always sip it through a straw. This protects your smile and keeps you from gulping down too much.
Find new recipes. There’s a bunch at pomegranates.org. Our favorite is roasted salmon with pomegranate and avocado salsa.
Enjoy them now. California pomegranates are available September through January, and the early-season varieties (Granada and Foothill) are the sweetest. There’s no need to wait until they ripen either; they’re ready to eat when picked. For longer, at-home storage, refrigerate the fruit at 32 to 41 degrees.
Comments from Members
I'd like to know how to grow a tree from the seeds. Is that possible?
Sounds great!!! Now, I just need to know the many different ways to serve this. We are dieting (most of us) in my household. I would like to have recipes etc.
I'ved be eating them since I was little. Love them, and look for them every year.
Absolutely you can buy a fruit from Wal-Mart like I did last year and plant the seeds. Mine took 24 days or so to even sprout and I have had them now for a year and they are only a foot tall they won't even fruit for years later. So now I have to wait and take care of them and see. I'll let you know.
All this time I've been spitting out the seeds!
I have drank the natural fruit juice (1 or 2 a week) for about three months...To know I am also doing my heart good keeps the routine going :0)Tracey
I love pomegranates. I don't like the taste of the sacs or whatever they're called so I just spit them out. It's fun to eat, although messy. I like the tip on opening underwater. Never thought of doing that. :O)
I love them too and also have been spitting out the sacs. Because I did not know you could eat them, my mom always said you could not eat them. Now I know!!!
I love adding the seeds to my salad. Though it's messy, I also put seeds in a bowl to snack on while watching TV. Yum!
I haven't eaten one since I was a child. I was also told not to eat the seeds. The last time I saw a pomegranate in the grocery, they were pretty pricey. Maybe I will try one and remember the old days with my grandma.
To Olga: You can get a Pomegrananate Tree for 25.00 from Eddiblefruit.com....yummy in the tummy. I also make Pomegranate Jelly, for my bagels, and have been eating Pomes for over 40 years. They are pricy, but oh so good for you.
I'm happy to see this educatonal article but I'm still a little confused as the the procedure for getting to the good stuff. I'd love a vide showing the cutting procedure.
I usually sqeeze the seeds one by one and then spit the hard kernals out, but I also use the juice to make jelly, you can use it like regular jelly or use it to make a fruit glaze.
Ever since I was a little girl in Europe I have eaten this fruit...cut in half and used a large pin to pick out the seeds! bit messy but yummy!
well my mom always buy 100% pomegranate juice ; i got to stores and see pomegranate juice in orange juice, vitamin water, lemonade, crystal light, and etc ; i drink green tea with pomegranate and it was delicious, so every since then i drink anything with pomegranate juice
Well, I must say that I have never tried fresh pomegrante fruit. I have only tried it in tea, and that was good. I might buy one next time I am out and see what all the fuss is about.
I love pomegranates. I've eaten them for years. Walmart is usually the least expensive place to buy them. On occasion they are only 98 cents.
Thanks for the info on healthy foods to try like this one on Pomegranates! It helps to know how to eat these. I ate them for the first time about a year ago and my family loves them! We bought a dwarf pomegranate tree and it has fruits on it! It is good to know how to grow foods. Would like to see more articles on gardening how to's with plants and trees!
It is good to see healthy articles like this one and the how to's about it! First ate one about a year ago and my family now loves them! Would like to see more healthy articles and how to's about gardening plants and fruit trees!
These are so good on a spinach salad with some walnuts, a little bit of shaved carrots and a vinegrette dressing. mmm mmmLast year there were coupons in the All You magazine. Am hoping to see them again this year.
I love pomegranates. Great article.
This is probley the beat thing that could happen to use women and men alike but not only has it been around for ages and ages i is great in everything, oatmeal cereal, dinner meats, cassaroles ect, ect, whatever you want to put it in and even to make a bread with it. I am going to get a reciepe off t you all real soon. I'll bet it will be a real humdinger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
my youngest son loved them 25 years ago and i could never figure that out but now i have learned it is one of the best however you eat or drink it sandy-ohio
I've never tried this fruit in any form but since reading your article, I'll check my grocery store and see what is available. Thanks for the article.
Yum! Just so happens I'm making my favorite pom. salad tonight. Simple, and oh so yummy. Select your favorite salad greens then top with fresh pomegranate, a bit of red onion, carmalized pecans and a raspberry vinaigrette dressing. If you crave something a bit sweater, add some mandarine oranges. I like it best when the pecans are still warm.
