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A super healthy fruit
The ancient Egyptians thought that pomegranate juice was an elixir of life that makes you immortal. Unfortunately, drinking their red juice won’t keep you young forever, but pomegranates do have many health benefits. Why is it called a super fruit?
Pomegranate trees grow around the Mediterranean, Middle East and other subtropical regions. The fruits are about the size of a grapefruit and have a leathery brown, red or orange skin with a crown. Inside are pink-red fruits, surrounded by white membranes.
Polyphenols
Pomegranates are high in potassium and vitamin C. In addition, they contain even more polyphenols than red wine and green tea. Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants. The fruit is therefore attributed all kinds of health benefits. The red seeds are said to inhibit inflammation, lower blood pressure, ensure beautiful skin, reduce menopausal ailments and prevent erection problems. Pomegranate also has a preventive effect against cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Pomegranates are available in autumn and winter at greengrocers and well-stocked supermarkets. Choose specimens that feel heavy and have a smooth skin. Fresh pomegranates are harvested ripe so you can eat them right away. They keep well in the fridge for at least a week.
How to eat
To make pomegranate juice, halve the pomegranate. Then squeeze it gently like an orange. Then strain the juice if necessary. Make sure you don’t get any juice on your clothes, the red stains will hardly come out.
If you want to use the seeds, there are various methods for removing them from the apple. Cutting open the fruit and picking out the seeds is an option, but luckily it can also be easier. Cut the skin around a little over the ‘belly’ of the fruit, then you can carefully break the pomegranate into two halves with your fingers.
Hold one half cut-side down in your palm, over a bowl. Then tap the fruit with, for example, a wooden ladle, so that the seeds fall out. Or cut the pomegranate into quarters from top to bottom, bend the peel segments outwards and let the seeds fall out. The white membranes between the seeds are not tasty.
Pomegranate tastes sweet and sour and fresh. You can eat them separately, but the pink-red seeds also add a cheerful color accent to dishes. They taste great in (fruit) salads, couscous, Oriental dishes, with yogurt and other desserts and you can also ice to make of.
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