In October starts the season of the pomegranate, a very particular fruit, typically of a vivid red color, it recalls the shape of an apple, whilst inside it has many seeds (arils), they too of a shiny red color, crunchy, juicy and with a typically sour taste. Not surprisingly the term pomegranate comes from the Latin malum (apple) and (granatum) with seeds.
Uses in the kitchen of the pomegranate and the varieties most popular in Italy
This autumn fruit is great if eaten as it is, but you can find it on the market as juice or jam. The juice is obtained through the pressing of the arils, so it keeps all the active ingredients of the pomegranate fruit and the its beneficial properties.
In virtue of its delicate and lightly sour, the pomegranate can be added both to sweet recipes such as pies, biscuits and yoghurts, and savory recipes such as pomegranate risotto, vegetable or cereal salads, in particular spelt and cous cous, adding dry fruits and seeds also.
There are many varieties of pomegranate, with different features and flavors, divided in sugary, bittersweet and sour pomegranate.
In Italy the most popular varieties of pomegranate are:
- Selinunte
- Alappia
- Profeta partanna
- Legrellei
- Ragana
- Racalmuto
- Tondo verde
- Melograno dolce (Dolce di Sicilia)
- Neirana
- Dente di Cavallo
Pomegranate in Italian culture and art
The pomegranate has been depicted very often also by several Italian artists in their works, both pictorial and sculptural. Among them, the most famous is the Madonna della melagrana by Sandro Botticelli, preserved in the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence.
While, in Capaccio (SA), the pomegranate is present in the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Granato that carries the scepter featuring a pomegranate. Then in Salerno, a part of the text by Trotula de Ruggiero in “De ornatu mulierum” shows a recipe to dye your hair in which pomegranate peel is mentioned.
Nutritional values and benefits of the pomegranate
The pomegranate is a fruit very rich in water and fiber content (about 4%). In this fruit there are plenty mineral salts, in particular iron and potassium, then zinc, manganese, copper, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, selenium and calcium. The vitamins most present are those of group B, A, C, E and K. Furthermore, the pomegranate fruit comes with benefits thanks to the several active ingredients, first of all several anti-oxidants, such as flavonoids, ellagic and garlic acid, and quercetin.
All these components, working together, convey the main benefits of the pomegranate which are:
- Anti-oxidant and anti-age properties thanks to the high content of anti-oxidants able to neutralize free radicals, responsible for aging;
- Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity thanks to the presence of tannins and ellagic acid able to contrast infections caused by bacteria and parasites on the gastrointestinal system (for example salmonella and Escherichia coli) and on the respiratory and urinary system (for example stafilococcus aureus e Pseudomonas aeruginosa);
- It helps the immune system to protect the diseases caused by the cold season thanks to the high content of vitamins;
- Reduction of blood pressure because the high content in potassium is useful also to regulate arterial pressure;
- Support in the menopause thanks to selenium, to betacarotene and other minerals, it is useful to reduce flushing and mood swings, typical symptoms of menopause;
- Astringent properties because in the bark, flowers and the exocarp of the pomegranate there is a high content of tannins (among which are Gallic and ellagic acids), whose properties are useful in case of vaginal and intestinal bleeding;
- Vermifuge and anthelmintic properties because in the bark of the pomegranate has been observed that pelletierine has a paralyzing effect, specifically towards tapeworm;
- The oil obtained from the pomegranate seeds and the juice have good antioxidant properties able to preserve lipidic oxidation;
- Antithrombotic, vasoprotective, and gastroprotective properties thanks to flavonoids.
Side effects
The pomegranate is a fruit that comes with very few side effects, however, it is not recommended in instances of gastrica acid or reflux problems, since it is a sour fruit. Furthermore, excessive consumption of pomegranate can lead to intoxication, featuring vertigo, headaches, drowsiness and breathing problems. Anyway they are very light symptoms and temporary which should not worry you. In fact, it is really rare to consume an excessive amount of this fruit, especially if you follow a balanced and varied diet. Finally, in case you are on blood thinners it is best to consult your doctor before eating pomegranate.
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