Pomegranates are the original “unexplainably juicy” Starburst candy, but a whole lot tastier with some impressive health benefits.
My dad introduced me to the pomegranate fruit. He would occasionally bring a pomegranate home from work and simply hand it to me. He never gave me any instructions on what to do with it, and I didn’t ask. I simply opened it and immediately got addicted to its gorgeous deep red color, lush arrangements of its seeds, amazing gush of sweet and tart juice, and crunchy consistency. I will say that eating the fruit is an art which I have mastered. My husband is amazed how fast and efficient I am.
Pomegranates originated from Iran but are now grown in a wide variety of places around the world. It is believed that pomegranates are one of the first cultivated fruits! They have been symbols of prosperity, hope, abundance, and fertility. They are pictured in ancient art in Asia, North Africa, and the Mediterranean. Though I’ve seen them sold year round in North America, it is only during the fall and early winter they are most delicious and ripe. People consume the whole seeds, extract the juice, or use them as ornamental fruit. A ½ cup serving of pomegranate seeds provides 12% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin C, 16% DV for vitamin K and 10% DV for folate (table). 20% DV fiber.
Pomegranates contain powerful antioxidants known as the polyphenols. Epidemiological studies have repeatedly shown an inverse association between the risk of chronic human diseases and the consumption of polyphenolic rich diet. Polyphenols play role in the prevention of various diseases associated with oxidative stress, such as cancer and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases like ALS, Parkinson, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s.
Enjoy pomegranates from California from late September through November. The seeds or arils can be eaten whole (fruit and seed) for maximum fiber. Eat them as a snack or use the fruit andor juice for cocktails, a kale salad and this chicken salad.
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