Tera asked me if I’d be interested in writing an article each week on a different food for our raw mom readers. So I thought why not. So this week’s article is on the pomegranate.
The pomegranate tree known by the Hebrew word (rim mohn’) grows throughout the Middle East and was extensively cultivated in Bible times. The trees grow up to 15 feet in height. The branches hold dark green leaves shaped like the head of a lance, with coral-red to scarlet colored blossoms. They are quit beautiful.
The pomegranate tree was much prized. So much so that the sleeveless coat of the High Priest Aaron’s garments had on its hem, a series of pomegranates made of blue thread.
I thought you might find this just as interesting as well. The Israel Museum in Jerusalem has a display: of a thumb-sized ivory pomegranate said to be from King Solomon’s temple. It is inscribed in ancient Hebrew with the words: “Belonging to the Temple of Jehovah, holy to the priests.
Its past seems as colorful as its blossoms. Today the pomegranate is still mostly grown for its decorative purposes and the juicy taste of its fruit.
The health benefits of the pomegranate are almost as numerous as its edible seeds. These juicy little numbers contain Vitamin C, A, E, folic acid, protein and potassium for starters. The pomegranate also contains antioxidant levels that are even higher then blueberries or red wine. So drink some fresh pomegranate juice next time your ready for a kick.
To finish off I’d like to leave you with a recipe for you to try at home.
Pomegranate Smoothness:
1 pomegranate
2 cups almond milk
1 tsp. vanilla
5 medjool dates
Pinch of Caribbean sea salt
Remove the seeds from the pomegranate; do this by first slicing it into sections, place in a bowl of water. Using your thumbs roll out the seeds. Place the seeds in your blender and add the almond milk, dates, vanilla and Caribbean sea salt. Blend until smooth.
Tip: Pour into popsicle trays and serve as healthy treat for you little ones as well as the whole family.
To Your Health
Monique
Tags: history, Nutrition, Raw food, raw tips, Recipes, treats for kids
[...] The health benefits of the pomegranate are almost as numerous as its edible seeds. These juicy little numbers contain Vitamin C, A, E, folic acid, protein and potassium for starters. The pomegranate also contains antioxidant levels that …[Continue Reading] [...]
[...] The health benefits of the pomegranate are almost as numerous as its edible seeds. These juicy little numbers contain Vitamin C, A, E, folic acid, protein and potassium for starters. The pomegranate also contains antioxidant levels that …[Continue Reading] [...]
Thanks for the recipe!
However, it is way easier to slice pomegranates in half and juice them like
you would an orange. If any seeds make it out whole, you can mush them
with a spoon in a strainer.
HTH,
Mary Kay
Hi Mary Kay,
True, but not everyone has a juicer. Plus juicing it for the recipe just makes more things to clean, therefore taking up more time.
Thanks for your comment!
Monique
YUMMY post, Monique- I adore these precious jewels! I find it meditative to slwly peel all the seeds out of their little nest, and munch away. Or, we love to put all the seeds into a nut mylk bag and mash them and squeeze out the crimson juice and pair it with fresh grapefruit or oranges. What could be better…!? x
I LOVE Pom! It is definitely time consuming to eat these but it is worth every minute. I just eat it raw, straight out of the …skin? peel? Anyway, great article.
I have one pomegranate left of three I bought almost a week ago. It sitting pretty in a bowl on the table with a bunch of oranges. I plan to extract the juice from those precious gems and mix it with 2 fresh squeezed oranges. It’s so good. Your recipe Pomegranate Smoothness sounds delish. I have all the ingredients, will try it soon.
Monique and all,
When I said to “juice the pomegranates like you would an orange” I did not
mean in a “juicer.” You know, those half-dome things you place your
orange half on and twist with your hand?!!!
Or you could even use an electric one, but by hand works very well. I think
it’s the easiest.
Also, if I’m recalling correctly: Jonathon Wright says that pomegranates are
one of the only foods that contains estriol —one of the beneficial forms
of estrogen.
Mary Kay
Hi Mary Kay,
Thank you so much for the information. It is so wonderful having people like you contributing information that we might have missed, so others can learn.
Again thanks.
Love & Hugs
Monique