You ate the wrong pomegranate

Pomegranates are known for their health benefits, hard appearance, and bright red juice that can easily stain your favorite t-shirt if you’re not careful. Although they may not be as common as berries or bananas in the US, there are many ways you can use them in your cooking. Here’s everything you need to know about these mysterious red fruits.

What is pomegranate?

Round pomegranate fruits grow on the pomegranate plant, which is a shrub-like tree native to Iran and now cultivated in many parts of the world. This name is derived from Latin words pomom And Granatum, which means “apple” and “many seeds”. They have a short growing season, from October to January, which is probably why they are included in so many holiday recipes.

Can you eat pomegranate?

Yes, you can eat pomegranate, but not like an apple. The inside of the pomegranate contains seeds that are located in a red bag of fruit juice called an aril. The seed and aril together are considered pomegranate seeds, which are edible. There is also a white membrane around these seeds that you can eat, but it is said to be bitter. These seeds are often used to prepare pomegranate juice. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), the root, stem, and bark may not be safe to consume in large amounts because they contain substances that can be harmful.

Looking for ways to incorporate seeds into your diet? Here are 21 pomegranate recipes, from salads and desserts to pomegranate martinis and mimosas.

Is pomegranate healthy?

Pomegranate has been touted for its health benefits, but what exactly is its nutritional makeup? According to USDA FoodData Central, a half-cup serving of arils contains about 72 calories, 1.5 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat, 16 grams of carbohydrates and 12 grams of sugar. While you won’t find much fiber in fruit juice, there are about 3.5 grams of fiber in half a cup of arils. In addition to vitamins and minerals, pomegranate is also known for its antioxidant properties.

How to cut a pomegranate

Getting to the seeds can seem a little daunting, but we’ve got a step-by-step guide on how to cut pomegranates to make things easy and mess-free. You start by removing the flower from the top, cutting shallow scores from top to bottom in the ridges on the sides, and then separating the segments and removing the seeds.

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