Pomegranates have a long history, not just as a delicious and nutritious food but in folklore and mythology.
Some Jewish scholars believe that pomegranate was the original forbidden fruit mentioned in The Garden of Eden that Adam and Eve ate.
The root word of pomegranate deriving from the word apple attributes to this line of thinking. But enough on that and lets get to why you came here.
What kind of fruit is a Pomegranate? is it classed as a Citrus Fruit or not?
Pomegranates are not citrus fruits. Instead, they belong to the Lythraceae family of plants.
They do have many similarities, such as a great smell and an interesting fruit structure, but those are the only things that make them similar to citrus.
Pomegranates are a kind of berry and are native in places from Iran to India. One of the main aspects that separate pomegranates from citrus fruits are pomegranates lack of vitamin C.
One defining characteristic of citrus fruit is the high amount of vitamin C. Since pomegranate lacks a significant amount of vitamin C, it is clearly not a citrus fruit.
Like many fruits, pomegranates have many health benefits.
The pomegranate skin in particular can be used to help our skin fight the effects of aging and sun damage.
It can also be used as a natural way to fight off colds and different ailments. The seeds also carry many health benefits, including fiber and vitamin K.
Pomegranates are not as hard to cultivate as some people may believe.
It is a hardy fruit that can grow in different conditions, as long as there is lots of sunlight.
Pomegranates are also not difficult to eat and the resulting seeds can be used in many ways.
This unusual fruit can be added to any healthy diet to boost health.
Pomegranates have fascinated humans for a long time, they are not only delicious and healthy but they have a unique look to them that causes them to stand out.
They have a long history in different religions and mythologies around the world, helping create an otherworldly quality around this fruit.
What Type of Fruit is Pomegranate?
Pomegranate is a berry in the Lythraceae family. It’s grown from a small tree or bush that can grow to be up to 23 feet tall.
Pomegranates are typically the size of a large orange and the inside is split into chambers containing numerous seeds.
One of the key aspects of citrus fruits is the high amounts of vitamin C. Pomegranate does not have similar high amounts.
Pomegranate juice contains very small amounts of vitamin C.
Eating pomegranates can give you vitamin C, though most people consume pomegranates by drinking the juice, and pasteurized pomegranate juice doesn’t have as much vitamin C as fresh juice.
There are several kinds of pomegranates with different looks and tastes. Many of these pomegranate types can thrive in environments with mild summers.
Areas with long and dry summers can also support growing pomegranates. There are many kinds of pomegranate plants and no matter what kind of pomegranate you want, there is an option for you.
Eating a pomegranate may look difficult, but it does not have to be stressful.
There are some straightforward ways to get the juice and seeds out to enjoy this delicious fruit in multiple ways.
The biggest trick is to separate the chambers to make it easy to get the seeds out. From there, you can get the seeds and juice out easily.
Why is Pomegranate the Forbidden Fruit?
Pomegranates have a long history in a lot of mythologies and traditions. The word pomegranate comes from the term for apple and many seeds.
Some biblical scholars point to this as a pomegranate rather than an apple being the forbidden fruit mentioned in The Garden of Eden.
As pomegranates are believed to be from the middle east, this would also make more sense than apples.
This fruit has a long history in Judaism. Pomegranates are not only important for religious celebrations in Judaism, they also decorate many sacred texts and carry a lot of symbolism.
One of the key points of symbolism is that pomegranates are often said to have 613 seeds, similar to the number of mitzvot derived from the Torah.
While this fact is not true, it lines up with the line that Jews are full of mitzvot like a pomegranate is full of seeds.
Pomegranates are a symbol in Islam as well. The Quran mentions the fruit three times, each time in very positive lights.
In Islam, this fruit is a symbol of harvest, wealth, and wellness.
Some people believe that seeing a pomegranate in a dream can have different meanings depending on the dream.
Pomegranates also play an important role in ancient beliefs.
From The Odyssey to the myth of Persephone’s abduction of Hades, pomegranates have played an important role throughout Greek history and mythology.
This role has continued into modern-day Greece, with pomegranates being smashed to begin the year with good fortune as more seeds spilled from the fruit are believed to represent good things for the coming year.
What are the Benefits of Pomegranate Skin?
Like many fruits, pomegranates have many health benefits.
This includes the pomegranate skin, which can be used to help fight acne and signs of aging.
Using pomegranate skins or peels can be used in different ways, from powders to face masks to help your skin.
Pomegranate skin can also be used to treat hair problems, such as hair loss and dandruff.
By mixing it with your hair oil and massaging it into your scalp you help maintain your hair health.
It can be kept in overnight or washed out after a few hours depending on what works for you.
The skins of pomegranates can also be used as a basic home remedy for simple ailments.
Gargling a strained mixture of cooled boiled water and pomegranate peel can help alleviate the pain felt by a sore throat. Pomegranate skin can also be used to boost your overall gut health and keep your immune system strong.
Pomegranate skins are not the only part of a pomegranate that can help with your health.
Pomegranate seeds contain many important vitamins and minerals that can help with your overall health.
The seeds especially have lots of fiber that will help your body function smoothly.
Pomegranate juice can also provide many health benefits.
Depending on how fresh the pomegranate juice is, you can get almost half of your recommended dose of vitamin C through pomegranate juice.
Pasteurization can break down vitamin C so the fresher the juice is the better.
Healthy living and healthy diets depend on many factors. Before relying on pomegranates, or any other foods, please consult a doctor to make sure that you’re on the diet that works best for you.
Food is just one part of healthy living and should not be the only thing anyone relies on to stay healthy.
Pomegranate Facts and Information
Pomegranates have intrigued us for many years. Even back in ancient and biblical times, pomegranates have been considered important.
With their middle east origins, it’s not hard to see why they are so important in many mythologies and old stories.
Pomegranates are some of the oldest mentioned fruits that we have a recorded history of.
We can trace the history of pomegranates back to 13500 BC and see how it traveled through the world and history.
We can study how it’s been used in different mythologies and come to mean different things at that time.
Pomegranates have even been in the United States of America since the beginning. Founding Father Thomas Jefferson planted pomegranates at his home in Monticello in 1771.
Pomegranates spread throughout the world, appearing in many paintings and other kinds of art.
This art often used pomegranates as a symbol of Jesus’ resurrection and life everlasting.
It also has appeared in many other religious works as a symbol of hope and spiritual fulfillment.
Though you may think that you have never tasted a pomegranate, chances are you have!
Grenadine syrup, used in many cocktails and other mixed drinks, is pomegranate flavored.
If you have tasted a Shirley Temple or a tequila sunrise, you have a general idea of what a pomegranate can taste like.
Though many store-bought grenadine syrups are not made with pomegranate extract or juice, the flavor still imitates this unique fruit.
Pomegranates are not widely eaten by many Americans. Some people are hoping to change that.
By offering pomegranates in more varieties, some pomegranate lovers are hoping to reach more Americans to this delicious and classic fruit.
It has worked with other forms of fruit and they are hoping to see similar results with pomegranates.
Pomegranates may not be a citrus fruit, as they are a berry in a different plant family.
They also lack many of the qualities found in citrus fruits.
This doesn’t make them any less delicious and with fewer potential health benefits.
Go grab yourself some Pomegranates and find some ways to ensure you get this delicious fruit into your diet. Enjoy!
I’m Chris Watson & the Founder of EatForLonger.com. I’m a food and wellbeing enthusiast researching and sharing foodstuffs and simple food-based concepts, such as fasting and clean eating.
I hope it inspires you to make tiny changes to what you eat and when you eat while optimizing your healthspan and all-around well-being.
Read more About Me here.