Punica granatum, is the shrub that produces the red fruit pomegranate revered for several millennia as a symbol of health, fertility and longevity. There is now evidence that a molecule in pomegranates, enables muscle cells to protect themselves against aging, by rebooting the Mitochondria* which is the powerhouse of our cells.
Pomegranate is one of the oldest known fruit on the planet. According to Wikipedia: “The pomegranate originated in the region of modern-day Iran and has been cultivated since ancient times throughout the Mediterranean region and northern India. It was introduced into Spanish America in the late 16th century and California, by Spanish settlers, in 1769”. It is said in the Torah that each pomegranate contains 613 seeds, inviting us to sow as many good deeds as its fertile seeds.
Called arils, its seeds have with the peels, three times more antioxidants as both wine and green tea. Food is medicine! Its fresh juice is packed with nutrients like proteins, fibres, fatty acids, vitamins A,C,E, K as well as folic acid and iron, potassium. This amazing fruit can help boost your immunity and sooth your digestive system, stomach, liver, bladder. Because of its potent anti-inflammatory properties, it has a major role in keeping inflammation at bay, protecting you from high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancer, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Making its juice is simple once you know how to cut it by removing the crown. Then put its seeds into a juicer or a blender for a brief moment until all the seeds are crushed. If needed pass through a strainer. Enjoy its vibrancy!
How to Seed a Pomegranate
- Make a shallow slit at the top of the pomegranate where the knob/stem is (this part is known as the crown). Cut all the way around the top of the rind, creating a shallow circle. Don’t push the knife in too deep, or you may burst some seeds.
- Pull the crown of the pomegranate off to reveal the inner seeds.
- Cut three shallow slits through the outer rind, following three of the white pith lines, from the top of the fruit to the bottom.Pull the fruit apart to create three large sections.
- Remove any large pieces of pith that are visible.
- Submerge the sections in a large bowl of cold water.
- Break apart the sections underneath the water, separating the seeds from the rind and pith. As you remove the seeds, they will sink to the bottom of the bowl. The pith will rise to the top and float.
- Discard the large chunks of rind (the peel).
- When all the seeds have been removed, use a mesh strainer or slotted spoon to remove the floating pieces of pith from the surface of the water. A few seeds may float as well; separate these out and return them to the bowl.
- Drain the seeds in a colander. Remove any additional pieces of pith that may have mixed into the seeds.
~ Excerpt from Tory Avey. Look at her site for complete explanations and pictures:
How to Seed a Pomegranate