Pomegranates are one of the healthiest fruits known for their tangy yet sweet taste. They are a popular choice for health-conscious people as pomegranates are packed with nutrients and antioxidants. The fruit, surprisingly, belongs to the berry family and promotes better health. Pomegranates are classified as a super fruit which means that it is extremely high in antioxidants, even though it might be low in Vitamin C. Pomegranates can negate the exposure to air pollutants, chemicals, and UV rays. Antioxidants are also known to be able to fight cancer.
Pomegranates may look unappealing to people who have never tried it due to their hard, shiny crust. Nevertheless, pomegranates hold deliciously juicy seeds, aril, inside that makes people crave for more. To keep reading more fun facts about pomegranates, keep on reading this article.
Here Are Some Interesting Facts about Pomegranates
1. Pomegranates are more difficult to peel than other fruits
Most people find getting the seeds out from a pomegranate to be a pain. There are two different ways one can take out the delicious ruby seeds easily. Some prefer to cut the pomegranate in half horizontally from the blossom end, then cutting side down. The rind of the pomegranate must be struck with a large wooden spoon to get the juicy seeds out easily. Another messier method is to cut the pomegranate into quarters and submerge them in a large bowl of water. The water makes it easier for people to pull out the seeds with their fingers. This ensures the membrane inside the fruit gets separated easily and floats on top.
2. Pomegranates have a taste like cranberries
Pomegranates have a sweet and tangy taste that is similar to cranberry but has a sweeter flavor. Pomegranates go along amazingly with fruit salads and green salads. Pomegranates are also used as a garnish for red meat and poultry dishes to give a sharp tang of flavor. They can also be added to vegetarian curries and rice to add a vivid burst or red color to the dish.
3. There is a trick to choosing the best pomegranate
Pomegranates can be found in seasons from September to January. Pomegranates are grown in hot and dry climates and are native to the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Central Asia, and the arid regions of Southeast Asia. Only the variety Red Wonderful is sold in North America. The best way to choose a good pomegranate is to weigh it in your hand. The heavier a pomegranate is, the juicier its seeds will be.
4. It is best to consume pluck a ripe pomegranate off the tree quickly
A pomegranate can hold around one thousand seeds. When a ripe pomegranate is not plucked on time, it can continue to grow and eventually burst open to explode. The pomegranate explodes to disperse hundreds of seeds around the tree. Therefore, many people believe that the word “grenade” comes from the French word for pomegranate (grenade). It is also believed that the first grenades resembled the shape of a pomegranate.
5. Pomegranates can be stored for a very long time
A whole pomegranate can be stored up to a few months in the refrigerator but will spoil only after a few days after it has been seeded. Pomegranate seeds are often frozen by putting them on a tray and storing them in an airtight container. These frozen pomegranate seeds, if stored correctly, can last for almost a year.
6. Pomegranates have a long list of health benefits
Pomegranates may have a little bit of sugar in them, but these fruits are packed with antioxidants. These antioxidants can slow down the premature aging of cells and can even prevent cardiovascular diseases. Pomegranates are also known to prevent certain types of cancer. Pomegranates contain punicalagins, in pomegranate juice and peel, and punicic acid.
Punicalagins in pomegranate juice are extremely powerful as they contain three times the antioxidant activity found in green tea or red wine. Pomegranates also have anti-inflammatory properties that can ease digestive tract inflammation. This inflammation activity can also prevent inflammatory activity in breast cancer cells, and colon cancer cells.
7. Juice from pomegranates can be turned into molasses
Pomegranate concentrate, also called molasses, has a dark color and a rich consistency. Pomegranate molasses is very popular in Lebanon and Iran and can be used as a substitute for balsamic vinegar while cooking dishes. Pomegranate molasses can be easily found in Indian and Middle Eastern grocery stores.
8. The word pomegranate has a special meaning
The name pomegranate comes from merging two Old Latin words “pōmum” and “grānātum”. The word “pōmum” means apple while the word “grānātum” means seeded. Pomegranates were also given a traditional Latin name that was “Malum granatum” which translates into” grainy apple”. The genus name given to pomegranates is “punica” which comes from the Roman name for an ancient city, Carthage, in North Africa. This is the reason why many Romans came to believe that pomegranates were from Africa. Whereas pomegranates grow natively from North-eastern Turkey to Afghanistan in reality.
9. Pomegranates have a medicinal history of being used in different cultures
Pomegranates have been used for their excellent health benefits since ancient times. Mentions of the vivid red fruit can be found in Greek, Buddhist, Islamic, Hebrew, and Christian scripture and traditions. The earliest record of pomegranates can be found around 1500 BC. It was used as a treatment for parasites and tapeworms in the past. Many common people use pomegranate as folk medicine. Some royal and medical coats of arms also have pomegranates on them.
10. Pomegranates are highly beneficial for people with high blood pressure
Pomegranates come highly recommended for people who have health issues related to high blood pressure. A glass of pomegranate juice regularly can lower blood pressure significantly. High blood pressure is one of the main causes of heart attacks and strokes. A study found that people suffering from hypertension have a drastic decrease in their blood pressure after drinking only five ounces of pomegranate juice per day for two weeks.
11. Pomegranates are botanically a berry
Just like bananas, eggplants, and cucumbers are classified as berries, pomegranates too are botanically berries. The true definition of a berry is it is a fleshy fruit that is obtained from a single flower with a single ovary and possesses multiple seeds. Therefore, pomegranates fall into the category of berries. Pomegranates have a tougher and harder shell, to protect the seeds, on the outside that is called an epicarp. The inner layer of a pomegranate which is softer is called the mesocarp. The internal mesocarp is the uneven white unsymmetrical structure in the form of chambers.
12. Pomegranates symbolize death and fertility
Pomegranates have been a part of Greek mythology extensively. The pomegranate is known as the “fruit of the dead” as it was rumored to have arisen from the blood of Adonis. There is an extremely popular myth about Persephone and Hades that features pomegranates. It is said that Hades, the Greek god of the underworld, tricked Persephone with a few seeds of pomegranate to return with him to the underworld for a few months every year.
The pomegranate also used to be associated with fertility in Ancient Greece. Pomegranates were associated with the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, and the Greek goddess of marriage and childbirth, Athena. Pomegranate juice was believed to be a cure for infertility and newly wed women wore crowns woven from pomegranate leaves in Ancient Rome.
13. Pomegranates are mentioned in religious scriptures and traditions
In Islamic scripture, it is said that pomegranates grow in the Garden of Paradise and have been mentioned as one of God’s good creations for humans. Ancient Iranian Christianity holds the belief that the pomegranates will be found in the Garden of Eden and are rumored to be the real forbidden fruit rather than the apple. On Yalda Night, a non-Christian Iranian tradition, many people come together to eat pomegranates together on the winter solstice. This tradition is a celebration of the victory of light over darkness.
Pomegranate Health Benefits Are INSANE | Benefits of Pomegranate Juice
The pomegranate is a superfood with insane health benefits. The pomegranate is a fleshy berry and a great source of fiber, Vitamin C & K, iron, and potassium. They are also rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Many studies in humans indicate that pomegranates are an excellent defense against several diseases. They also contain the precursor to a powerful “anti-aging” molecule called Urolithin A.
Summary
Pomegranates are a delicious red fruit that are loved by all for their sweet and sour flavor. These ruby red seeds are full of juicy flavor and can be used in multiple dishes as garnishes or as an ingredient to add a zing of flavor. Pomegranates offer a variety of health benefits, as they are full of antioxidant properties. Pomegranates used to be used extensively in ancient medicine to treat tapeworms and parasites. These ruby red fruits are also a part of ancient Greek mythology and even Christian and Islamic scripture. We hope that you learned plenty of new and interesting facts about pomegranates in this article.
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I’m Natalie Garcia and I started this website to share my love of trivia, facts and fun knowledge tidbits. We cover things like celebrity gossip, historical facts, tv shows, world leaders and just odd and random fun things. I started this site to have some fun with my hobby and share some useful information with you, our community. Please feel to send me your suggestions and feedback through the contact form. And if you have suggestions for things to write about, please shoot me a message!