Pomegranate: Everything you need to know about the exotic super fruit
Superfood, power fruit, natural remedy, and just downright delicious – the pomegranate promises all this and much more. Whether as a snack on the go, as a topping for sweet and savory dishes, or as a refreshing juice, the pomegranate is becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. If only it weren't for the tedious peeling required to get to the fruit's promising seeds. But there are a few tricks that can help with that, too. Whether you want to go through the trouble of preparing the fruit yourself (or would rather enjoy it as cold-pressed juice) is entirely up to you. Either way, everyone can get their money's worth and enjoy this exotic fruit.
Where does the fruit originate?
It is not entirely clear where the pomegranate originated. However, scientists assume that it is a proud 5,000 years old and that its origins lie in West to Central Asia. In the meantime, the exotic fruit has become a well-known superfood, and nowadays the pomegranate is cultivated in India, Brazil, China, and Israel, among other places, but the pomegranate can also be found in European countries such as Spain and Italy. The fruit simply grows and thrives best where there is a tropical or subtropical climate.
What exactly is a pomegranate?
Contrary to what the name might erroneously suggest, this fruit is by no means an apple. Rather, the pomegranate, also known as *Punica granatum*, belongs to the loosestrife family (*Lythraceae*). In the broadest sense, it is a berry—or, more precisely, a dry berry—because the peel becomes drier and harder as it ripens. But the true treasure is hidden inside the fruit. If you break open the exotic fruit, the edible seeds are revealed. They lie in so-called locules and are divided into small chambers by thin white walls.
Pomegranate: how to get to the healthy seeds
How do you open a pomegranate properly? And what is the best way to get the seeds out of the pomegranate? Anyone who has ever bought and prepared a pomegranate themselves knows how much work it involves. It takes a real battle to get to the precious seeds of this red fruit. There are many different ways to do it. An apron and disposable gloves are definitely recommended, as the stains are difficult to wash out. However, with a few clever moves, you can master this challenge. A relatively safe method that eliminates the danger of having to re-wallpaper the kitchen afterwards is to peel the pomegranate under water. All you need is a large bowl of water and a sharp knife. First, halve the fruit and then place the halves in the water to press the seeds out of the peel. The wooden spoon method is not quite as splatter-proof. For this, you halve the fruit and then strike the halves over a bowl with a wooden spoon to knock the seeds out. It can also be helpful to roll the pomegranate back and forth before opening it to loosen the seeds slightly. Whichever method you choose, it is advisable to remove the white fruit skin carefully, as it tastes rather bitter and tart.
Pomegranate without the tedious preparation
One thing is certain: chopping up and working out the pomegranate seeds takes a lot of time and patience. Those who dare will be rewarded and can taste the exotic aroma. For those who are too put off by the risk of splatters—which, incidentally, look deceptively like bloodstains—there is no need to go without. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives available today. If you are primarily interested in the health-promoting properties of the pomegranate, you can now find the superfood as a dry extract in capsules. Those who prefer to enjoy the full flavor should opt for an organic pomegranate juice. Buying ready-made pomegranate juice saves effort and work in any case, especially if consumed regularly.
How healthy is the pomegranate?
It is not without reason that the pomegranate has been known as a divine fruit since antiquity. It is even mentioned repeatedly in the Bible and the Quran and associated with fertility, love, youth, and beauty. Over time, the pomegranate has been increasingly appreciated as a natural medicine, and numerous studies have been able to prove its health benefits. The power fruit is rich in vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and iron. The antioxidant effect in particular, which has previously been proven to a high degree in green tea and red wine, is also found in pomegranate juice. Furthermore, pomegranate is said to help with digestive problems, increase libido, counteract sore muscles, and support weight management. One thing is certain: the red fruit is definitely healthy.
Take-away
Pomegranate is not only delicious but also healthy. Whether you want to go through the trouble of preparing this fruit yourself is up to you. For those who decide against it, however, it does not mean doing without the power fruit, as you can just as easily fall back on high-quality organic pomegranate juice in raw food quality. Experts recommend a daily intake of ½ to 1 glass so that the pomegranate can unfold its full effect. Ice-cold and refreshing, pomegranate juice is a healthy and welcome summer drink or a healthy snack for in between.
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