We are a little more than a month into the “pomegranate season”, which usually runs from September through February. Many people may think a pomegranate looks funny or they aren’t sure how to eat it. There are many health benefits to eating pomegranates, many of which can be attributed to the punicalagins and punicic acid, which have antioxidants. Here are 10 things you need to know about the popular fruit called pomegranates. Learn some fun facts about pomegranates including how to best eat them!
Source: Bon Appétit
- The punicalagins in pomegranate juice have been shown to reduce inflammation, one of the leading drivers of many killer diseases.
- Regular intake of pomegranate juice has been shown to lower blood pressure levels in as little as 2 weeks.
- To eat the pomegranate, cut off the top, score the outside into four pieces, submerge the pomegranate in water and pull it apart, then use your fingers to pull out the seeds or simply bite into the quarters and eat the seeds. See video here.
- The word pomegranate means apple with many seeds.
- Pomegranates can be stored up to 2 months in the refrigerator.
- Pomegranate trees can live for over 200 years.
- The pomegranate’s nickname is, “the jewel of winter”
- There are over 760 varieties of pomegranate.
- The pomegranate was introduced to California by Spanish settlers in 1769
- Thomas Jefferson planted pomegranates at Monticello in 1771.
Source: Bon Appétit
Now that you know a little more about pomegranates, their benefits and how to remove the seeds, don’t avoid them when you see them in the store including at Yu’s Produce in the MARKET. Yu’s Produce now has a new owner, Chang Hwang Yi, who will be carrying local and seasonal produce from Lancaster County. While the seeds are great to eat alone, Bon Appetit has some recipe ideas to get you started on some other ways to enjoy the super food including pomegranate molasses chicken with bulgur salad, pomegranate chia seed yogurt parfait, crunchy winter vegetable salad, spiced pomegranate rice, and more!
The MARKET at the FAREWAY in Chestnut Hill, located behind the Chestnut Hill Hotel, is a great place to get your fresh produce. While you are shopping for your groceries, you can also get takeout to eat lunch back in your office or take home for dinner. You can also eat lunch in the pavilion at the MARKET or at the outdoor seating in the FAREWAY. It’s a great place to hang out in Chestnut Hill with your friends and family. The atmosphere in the FAREWAY is beautiful with the planted gardens, fountains, art sculptures, oversized chairs, and ping-pong table. THE MARKET is a one-stop grocery shop in Chestnut Hill where you can get your poultry, red meat, deli meats and sides, produce, prepared foods, coffee, baked goods, and soon, fresh seafood from Surf and Turf. Hope to see you soon!