Pomegranates are known as a “super fruit”. They are a delicious fruit with brilliant red edible arils. They grow on small trees or shrubs, growing 10-15 feet, where the climate is very hot and dry.
The botanical name for pomegranate is Punica granatum. The name pomegranate basically means “seeded apple”. The name, pomegranate, has a history as long as the fruit’s history and is woven into folklore from ancient history to the present. The pomegranate has been celebrated in mythical lore and is considered a present day “super food”.
The pomegranate is one of the oldest domesticated fruits recorded, with a documented history for more than 4,000 years. The pomegranate is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. Many Biblical scholars debate that the pomegranate is the fruit from the “Tree of Life” in the Garden of Eden, rather than the apple.
It is believed pomegranates are native to Persia, modern day Iran. Pomegranates grow on trees or shrubs that are about 10 to 15 feet tall and where the climate is very hot and dry. The trees can live for over 200 years. They are beautiful and have shiny green foliage, crimson blossoms and an incredible yellow fall color.
Pomegranates are most widely available in the U.S. from September to December, but if you are lucky, you can find them available all year. In the U.S., California grows 99% of the pomegranates, followed by Texas and Arizona. Many people in the southern climates grow them in their gardens.
Michigan State University Extension has a few other fun facts about pomegranates:
- Pomegranates are native to the Middle East.
- Pomegranates are berries because their seeds are imbedded in the fruits’ flesh.
- Pomegranate trees grow in hot and dry climates.
- All pomegranates are self-pollinating.
- The edible part of the pomegranate is called an aril. It is the translucent ruby-colored flesh that surrounds the edible seed.
- Grenadine is made from the juice of pomegranates; it is used in flavorings and liqueurs.
- Pomegranates are considered a “super fruit” because of their high nutritional value, and they are packed full of antioxidants.
- Pomegranates are high in dietary fiber, folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin K.
- Pomegranates can be stored up to two months in the refrigerator.
- In times past, the pomegranate blossom was crushed to make a red dye and the peel was used for dyeing leather.
Here is a great recipe for kids to try using two super foods: pomegranates and dark chocolate. Not only super foods, both pomegranates and are botanically classified as berries. This recipe is adapted from This Healthy Table.
Pomegranate Chocolate Bites
Start to finish: 20 minutes
Servings: 24
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups pomegranate seeds
5.25 ounces (150 grams) high-quality dark chocolate (over 60% cacao)
1 tablespoon sea salt (optional)
Directions
- Across 24 mini muffin cups, sprinkle a single layer of pomegranate seeds.
- Melt the dark chocolate in a small bowl in the microwave. Check often to make sure it's not burning.
- Add the melted dark chocolate to piping bag or plastic bag. Snip off the end, so a small stream of chocolate can come out.
- Pipe a crisscross pattern of chocolate across the pomegranate seeds. Add another layer of pomegranate seeds, then more chocolate, and then the last layer of pomegranate seeds.
- Finish with a pinch of sea salt (optional) on each of the pomegranate chocolate bites.
- Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. After removing from the fridge, serve immediately.
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FAQs
Yet, there are those who claim that the pomegranates from the Chatam Sofer's time had an average of 613 seeds, or that there were rare pomegranates with exactly that number. Today, in any case, pomegranates have anywhere from 200 to 1,200 seeds (you are welcome to count for yourself!).
How long does a pomegranate tree take to grow in Stardew Valley? ›
Takes 28 days to produce a mature Pomegranate tree. Bears fruit in the fall. Only grows if the 8 surrounding "tiles" are empty. The Pomegranate Sapling is a Fruit Tree sapling that takes 28 days to grow into a Pomegranate Tree, after which it will produce one fruit each day during the Fall.
How many years does it take for pomegranate to bear fruit? ›
When Does The Fruit Come? You may be wondering exactly how long it takes to get fruit from your new tree, and the answer is as little as one year but usually closer to two to three years. Although you may see a few fruits during the first growing season, they most likely won't be of the best quality or size.
Is A pomegranate a fruit or a flower? ›
Pomegranate fruit are technically berries.
They are fleshy fruit that come from the ovary of a single flower. In Ancient Iranian Christianity, the pomegranate was believed to be the real forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.
Do all pomegranates have 365 seeds? ›
The number of seeds in a pomegranate can vary widely depending on the size and variety of the fruit. On average, a medium-sized pomegranate may contain about 600 to 800 seeds, also known as arils. Larger pomegranates can have even more seeds.
What does the pomegranate mean in the Bible? ›
The Bible only mentions pomegranates in the Old Testament. The hems of Jewish priestly vestments are decorated with a stylised form of this fruit (Ex. 28, 33f; 39, 24-26) and, as such, a pomegranate is a metaphor for the richness of the promised land of Israel (Deut.
Why can't my pomegranate tree grow Stardew? ›
Each Fruit tree must be planted in the center of a clear 3x3 ground area in order to grow, though they may be placed next to a permanent structure (i.e., house or greenhouse). The 3x3 area must remain clear of objects, flooring, and terrain features (including grass); otherwise the tree will not grow.
What is George's last name Stardew Valley? ›
George is a villager living in Stardew Valley. He is a grumpy man but is kind at heart. In Penny's two heart event, it's revealed that George's surname is Mullner.
What happens if you cut down a fruit tree in Stardew Valley? ›
Fruit trees can be chopped down, yielding normal wood and a matching sapling of the same quality as the fruit. When chopped at stage 1 of growth, it will instead drop its respective sapling.
Can dogs eat pomegranates? ›
Yes, dogs can eat pomegranates.
However, while they aren't toxic to dogs, pomegranates can still cause digestive issues, says Dr. Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, a senior veterinary toxicologist and director at Pet Poison Helpline. Plus, the seeds can be difficult to break down, and the rinds are a no-go for pups.
There are two basic types of pomegranate: fruiting, which bear fruit, and flowering, which bear only flowers and no fruit. Needless to say, if yours is a flowering variety this explains the absence of fruit, and there's nothing that can be done to make it bear fruit. There are many varieties of fruiting pomegranate.
Is a pomegranate a tree or a bush? ›
The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a naturally dense, deciduous, bushy, multi-stemmed shrub that typically grows to heights of 10 to 12 feet and bears highly colored fruit with many juicy seeds inside. In some regions, pomegranates are trained into small trees with a single trunk.
Is A pomegranate a male or a female? ›
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) has staminate (male), androgynous (hermaphrodite), and intermediate flower types.
Is pomegranate good for diarrhea? ›
Pomegranate is filled with anti-inflammatory properties that help to treat diarrhoea. It is beneficial in stopping the loss of motions and also alleviates its symptoms. Pomegranate juice or the fruit can be consumed for stopping loose motions instantly due to its anti-inflammatory activity in the gut.
Is pomegranate good for men? ›
Dr. Li said pomegranates can also benefit men's health, having been linked to alleviating erectile dysfunction due to an ability to produce nitric oxide. She explained that nitric oxide improves the health of blood vessels and causes them to widen and increase circulation.
How many seeds are there in one pomegranate? ›
The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a fruit-bearing shrub ( 1 ). It can grow up to 30 feet (9 meters) high, producing fruits that are about 2–5 inches (5–12 cm) in diameter ( 1 ). Inside the thick-skinned fruit are approximately 600 arils, or edible seeds, which can be enjoyed raw or processed into a juice ( 1 ).
Do pomegranates contain around 600 1400 seeds? ›
POMEGRANATES. A pomegranate can have between 600-1400 seeds, pomegranates contain three times more antioxidants than green tea. They can also help reduce inflammatory activity within the body and have even...
Is there a limit to how many pomegranate seeds you can eat? ›
How Many Pomegranate Seeds Should You Eat a Day? There's no specific limit. However, a handful a day as part of a balanced diet is a good start. For people with diabetes or other diet restrictions, consume based on your diet plan.
How many pomegranate seeds did Persephone eat? ›
While in the underworld, Persephone had eaten 6 pomegranate seeds. What does this mean for Persephone? There was a deal, between Persephone and Hades, if Persephone had eaten nothing while kidnapped by Hades she could return to the land of the living.
