botanical name: Punicum granatum
first you slice off the top crown.
slice through the leathery skin and pull the fruit apart in sections. best done with the fruit submerged in cool water to avoid staining anything with its juice, separate the seeds from the white, bitter tasting membranes. the seeds will sink and the rest will float making it easy to separate the seeds.
each seed is surrounded by a sac of sweet tart juice.we have learned some interesting historical facts about the pomegranate. this information has been taken from a variety of internet sources:
- pomegranates are one of the oldest cultivated fruits.
- the pomegranate is mentioned frequently in the old testament.
- ancient egyptians considered the pomegranate a symbol of fertility.
- ancient romans tanned pomegranate skins and used them as leather.
- Homer wrote about the fruit and its health benefits.
- according to some jewish scholars, the pomegranate was the forbidden fruit in the garden of eden.
- the juice of the pomegranate contains powerful antioxidants, perhaps even more than green tea or red wine.
- the french named their hand-tossed explosive a "grenade" after the seed-scattering properties of the pomegranate fruit.
- jewish tradition says that each fruit contains 613 seeds representing the 613 commandments of the torah
- another source stated that each fruit contains 840 seeds exactly. (S thinks we need to buy another one so we can count the seeds!)
For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land - a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey...When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Deut. 8:8-10
everyday gift: fingers stained with pomegranate juice
1 comment:
Wow! You are being very adventurous! We'll have to try one!
Post a Comment