Spring 2009 - Issue 5

The Silversword: Home > Arts and Entertainment > Fruit of the Month: Pomegranate

Fruit of the Month: Pomegranate

Nannie Ann Apalla, Managing Editor


What is a pomegranate fruit?

The pomegranate (päm′gran′it) — also referred to as “Chinese apple” or Granada— is a full and rounded fruit, with a flared spiky crown at its base. The fruit varies in size, but it is typically 2.5 to 5 inches wide with a tough, leathery rind that is yellow and overlaid with light or deep pink or rich red in color. An average sized fruit—about the size of a large orange—weighs about 9 ounces.

The most sought-after component of the fruit is the edible seeds, found inside of the pomegranate fruit.  The seeds, called arils, are incased in white spongy tissue, called rag, and are packed into compartments divided by membranous walls.

Each compartment is packed with transparent sacs (referred to as the seed or arils) filled with tart, flavorful, juicy, red, pink, or whitish pulp. In each tiny sac, there is one white or red, angular, soft or hard seed, which are edible depending on your personal preference.

The seeds found in each aril represent about 52 percent of the whole fruit. The clear membrane encasing and rag of the fruit are not very tasty and typically discarded.

The pomegranate fruit comes from the pomegranate tree that grows to heights of up to 25 feet and bears attractive white and orange-red flowers, making it a popular foliage choice amongst garden owners.

Pomegranate season occurs during early August until January, with peak season in November and into December. Fresh pomegranate fruits can be found in local markets during this time.

The pomegranate tree is said to have been native to Iran and the Himalayas in northern India and has been cultivated since ancient time throughout the Mediterranean region of Asia, Africa and Europe. The Spanish padres are credited in history with bringing and introducing pomegranates to California more than 200 years ago. 

Due to the pomegranate’s rustic allure, many cultures throughout history have adapted the fruit into their myths and writing — even citing the pomegranate fruit as the favored fruit by the gods in ancient myths. The fruit symbolizes fertility in Chinese, Greek, Persian, Roman and Hebrew lore and symbolizes hope in Christian art. Jewish tradition also credits pomegranate as a symbol of prosperity.

Research on the pomegranate fruit indicates that it is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, potassium, folic acid and iron. In the past, it is mentioned that Hippocrates prescribed pomegranates to treat eye infections and to help aid with digestion. Today, continued research of the health benefits associated with the pomegranate fruit yields powerful results, including aiding in improving heart health, circulation of blood, and helping stop the hardening of artery walls, which reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

It can be quite intimidating for a first-timer to extract the arils from the pomegranate fruit. However, there are numerous Web sites that provide step-by-step procedures and techniques that will allow you to yield your bounty with no pain and minimal mess.

I went on a hunt around town at our various local fresh produce markets as well as Chinatown, eager to consume my very first fresh pomegranate fruit only to be met with disappointment.

My timing in purchasing a fresh pomegranate fruit is off by just a few weeks!

Pomegranate season ended in January and local vendors no longer carry the fresh fruit. The choices I was left with are all in juice form and other dried products, such as health bars. I decided to pass on all the processed pomegranate products. Instead, I’ve locked up numerous food recipes online in preparation for the upcoming pomegranate season.

However, when choosing a pomegranate fruit for consumption, I was advised by a local vendor to look for a fruit that is heavier in weight in comparison to its size. She further informed me that this is also an indicator of how fresh the fruit is, because an older fruit would typically be lesser in weight compared to its size.

The pomegranate arils can be consumed as is and can also be used as a garnish to any type of dish. The arils can also be squeezed and the juice yielded in the process can be consumed as is or used as a form of garnishing sauce to any dish or your choice.

The pomegranate is definitely quite a versatile fruit flavor.