The botanical name for pomegranate is Punicum granatum. Initially the Romans called it Punic Apple or Punicum malum in Latin. The seeds in the fruit were referred to as granatum.
The pomegranate is one of the oldest fruits in the world. It is native to Persia (the present Iran and Afghanisthan). It was brought to China during the Han dynasty in 100 BC. By Jang Qian. The pomegranate is found in Islamic art, and the Jewish scripture. A depiction of the pomegranate has been found on a shekel of 140 BC.
The fruit came into Spain through the Moors in 800AD. In fact the city of Granada was named after the pomegranate, and it became their national emblem. King Henry VIII brought it to Britain. The Spaniards brought the pomegranate to America in the 15th century, but it has not yet reached the popularity it has gained in rest of the world.
The use of the pomegranate was more often restricted to royalty and this led the evolution of various mythologies and legends in different cultures.
–For the Greeks, the Egyptians, the Hebrews, the pomegranate links between birth, life, and resurrection. They revered it for its power and magical properties.
–For the Jews, it is a representation of the commandments of the Torah which is 613 in number, and it is believed that the pomegranate contains 613 seeds. While this may not be exact, it could be the average number of seeds in it.
–The pomegranate is one of the three blessed fruits of Buddhism.
— At the end of the 15th century the pomegranate was adopted as the personal emblem and a symbol of resurrection by Maxmilian I.
–the Greeks called it the ‘fruit of the dead’.
–the Persians believed that it protected them on the battle field with invincibility…
–the ancient Chinese believed the fruit could promote long life.
The pomegranate is known as ‘the fruit of life’ from the Garden of Eden,–a traditional symbol of fertility and rebirth.
Pomegranates are a rich source of folic acid, potassium, niacin, iron, calcium, fibre and antioxidants, natural phytoestrogens, ascorbic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, malic acid essential amino acids, vitamin B and vitamin C.
The consumption of pomegranates –
- Help in maintaining normal cholesterol levels.
- Sustains normal cardiovascular health.
- Proves to be a good uterine tonic.
- Improves the immune system.
- Normalises blood pressure levels.
- Helps as a de -worming agent.
- Dissolves stones in the kidneys and the bladder.
- Promotes s good digestive system.
- Increases haemoglobin.
The pomegranate is consumed as a fruit, juice, syrup, ice-cream, marmalade, and jelly. The seeds are dried and stored for use in many recipes.
So do not stop yourself from getting the best from the fruit of life.