Pomegranates - the Fruit of Temptation

Pomegranate seeds symbolise fertility in many cultures and the pomegranate was the symbol of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Cleopatra reputedly used the seeds as a lipstick. A city, (Granada), a precious stone (the garnet) and an explosive (grenade) were all named after the pomegranate. Eating pomegranate seeds secured the downfall of Persephone, condemned to spending part of each year in the Underworld. Some Biblical scholars believe that the pomegranate, not the apple, was actually the fruit of temptation that led to Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

Sadly though, the pomegranate has been largely ignored by Western cuisine. A clue to this may be in its name. The name 'pomegranate' comes from the French 'pomme granate' meaning apple with many seeds. And many seeds it has - 840 to be precise! Which is probably why in the West it has been used more for decoration than culinary purposes.

So what has changed the fortunes of the humble pomegranate?

Quite simply the pomegranate is a superfruit. Pomegranates are good for you - very good in fact. They are packed with vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Pomegranates contain polyphenols, some of the most powerful antioxidants. Recent studies suggest that pomegranate juice has several times more antioxidants than red wine, green tea, cranberry or orange juice. Pomegranates are also being marketed as the fruit to eat to lower cholesterol, thus reducing a person's risk of developing heart disease.

But could you be tempted by a pomegranate?

There really is nothing quite like a pomegranate. The fruit look like a huge rosy apple with a thick rind and a large calyx. If you cut one open you'll see a honeycomb of whitish membranes next to which are crimson jewel like sacs, each encasing a seed. Only the seeds and their surrounding juice are edible.

When buying a pomegranate choose one that seems heavy for its size. This indicates that it will contain more juice and may be sweeter. Pomegranates will keep for about three months at room temperature.

And at this point you're probably wondering what to do with it!.

Pomegranates are eaten raw by breaking them open and eating only the ruby juice sacs. This keeps kids entertained for hours! The juice sacs can be sprinkled over sweet or savoury dishes. Pomegranates are wonderful with chicken and have an affinity with dark chocolate too!

To juice a pomegranate simply roll it against a hard surface to break the seeds. The pomegranate will crack as the juice sacs break. Cut a small hole in the stem end to release the juice. You can also cut the pomegranate in half as you would an orange and ream it through a manual citrus Juicer. Whichever method you use the juice will stain everything it lands on!

Juices or blends containing pomegranate juice are available in supermarkets. Pomegranate flavours are also used in yoghurts and desserts. Most people though will be familiar with grenadine, the crimson non alcoholic syrup, used in cocktails such as daiquiri and Tequila Sunrise.

In India the dried juice sacs produce the sour Indian spice anardana which is used in medicine, curries and digestive candies. Pomegranate syrup or molasses is made from the sour pulp and used in Middle Eastern dishes such as khoreshe fesenjan, an Iranian chicken or duck dish thickened with walnuts.

So why not give in to temptation??