Pomegrenates, native to Persia and northern India, are berries of the pomegranate tree. They have a thick reddish skin and contains hundreds of sweet edible arils. The pomegrenate was relatively unknown in many countries, until it was proclaimed a "superfood" or "superfruit" in the health industry.http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/health/superfood%20pomegranate%20sales%20soar/311692http://www.healthnews.com/blogs/susan-brady/nutrition-diet/pomegranates-superfruit-goodness-2127.html
Pomegranate Selection and Availability
Fresh pomegranates are available from late summer through early fall. New found popularity as a superfood for its high antioxidant value has helped bring many pomegranate juices to the market.http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/health/superfood%20pomegranate%20sales%20soar/311692 Desire for the arils without the hassle of removing them from the skin has brought about the availability of fresh arils.
Greek Symbolism
The pomegranate is a key part of the myth of Persephone. Persephone is the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of the harvest. When the god of the underworld, Hades, kidnaps Persephone and takes her to his realm to be his wife, Demeter goes into mourning for her daughter and allows the Earth to become barren. Zeus, the leader of the Greek Gods, demands the release of Persephone. Hades begrudgingly agrees, but because Persephone has eaten four seeds of the pomegranate, a food of the Underworld, she is forever bound to her husband and must live with him for four months out of the year.http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/persephone.html
The ancient Greeks used this myth to explain the seasons. When Persephone returned to her mother, the earth is fertile and it's springtime. When Persephone goes back to the Underworld to be with Hades, the earth is barren and it's wintertime.
Pomegranate Varieties
- Balegal
- Cloud
- Crab
- Early Wonderful
- Fleshman
- Francis
- Granada
- Green Globe
- Home
- King
- Phoenicia
- Sweet
- Utah Sweet
- Wonderful http://www.dirtdoctor.com/organic/garden/view_question/id/1320/
Opening a Pomegrenate
A food consultant shares his knowledge and experience in opening a fresh pomegrenate. It is actually a little bit complicated to open and eat a pomegrenate. Although bare hands or a knife will do the trick, the food consultant shows that a more efficient way to eat all the arils or seeds of a pomegrenate is to use a few common kitchen utensils.
References
Fast Facts
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Scientific name
Punica granatum
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Key Nutrients
High in Vitamin C and antioxidants
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Drink application
Can be made into juice.
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Nativity
Iran to the Himalayas in northern India
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Food application
The seeds inside, called arils, can be eaten.
