What’s a pomegranate?
Pomegranates are a fruit-bearing shrub plant that originated from Iran and North India in 3500 BCE. Cultivation quickly spread through the Mediterranean and now it’s all over the world. The name pomegranate is derived from Latin, pōmum “apple” and grānātum “seeded.” Its vibrant shades of red and maroon thick skin and bulbous shape is easily recognizable in many settings, but it’s also known for its unending amount of juicy and crisp crimson seeds inside. There are so many ways to eat and consume pomegranates.
Benefits of pomegranate
Recent research does provide us with some evidence that pomegranates (and pomegranate extracts) do have some health benefits in anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer characteristics. Pomegranates and pomegranate juice are filled with many antioxidants, but it’s important to note that there needs to be more studies and trials done to really figure out what these antioxidants can do for the body as well as other potential health benefits it can provide.
What to do with pomegranate
You can eat the crunchy seeds straight up raw, add them as a salad topping, or even juicing them is delicious. You don’t even need a fancy juicer to get all the sweet and tangy juice from these seeds, all you need is a blender, a food processor, or even a hand blender. One of the most popular ingredients for cocktails and mocktails is grenadine, a bright red syrup that’s added to Shirley temples, tequila sunrises, and hurricanes. But something I just learned is that grenadine is made of pomegranate juice (albeit heavily sugared and processed pomegranate juice.
How to deseed a pomegranate
One thing to note about pomegranates is that the crimson red juice that we love from this fruit also has a downfall–they stain surfaces and fabrics easily. If you’re wondering how on earth you would remove the seeds without getting stains on your counter or clothes, all you need is a knife, one large mixing bowl, and water.
How to juice pomegranate
Juicing fresh pomegranates might sound confusing because you don’t want to drink any of the seeds or you think you might need a juicer, but it’s much simpler than that. I like to use a blender for easy Here are some tips to get the best juice:
Only blend for about 1-2 seconds or until the seeds have burst, but BEFORE the seeds are blended. This means you want to stop while your juice is still red and hasn’t turned cloudy pink. Use a cheesecloth lined strainer to remove the excess seeds. Wrap the cheesecloth into a sack and use your hands to gently squeeze the excess juice out of the pomegranate mixture. Transfer your juice into a jar and chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour. I love chilled pomegranate juice because it gives it a refreshing flavor.
Serving and storage
To serve pomegranate juice, all you need is a cup! But you can also jazz it up and add other ingredients like mint, fizzy water, or other fruits like oranges and orange juice. You can also add it with other drinks like iced matcha, green or black tea, or even add boba! You can store pomegranate juice for up to 3 days in the fridge with an airtight lid before the flavor degrades.
