The pomegranate is not a native fruit. The plant, which is assigned to the loosestrife family (Lythraceae), originally comes from West and Central Asia. Nowadays, the pomegranate tree is also cultivated in the Mediterranean area. The term apple in the name is a bit misleading, because it is in no way related to the local apples. Nevertheless, the question of whether the seeds are poisonous often arises with the pomegranate. The following article is intended to provide information on whether you can eat pomegranate seeds without hesitation or whether they are poisonous.
pomegranate
Punica granatum is a small tree that can be cultivated as a useful as well as an ornamental plant. The fruits have been consumed for a very long time and were once considered a symbol of fertility in many cultures. In the Bible, in the Koran as well as in Greek mythology, the fruit already had a big meaning. So it not only stands for fertility, but also for life in general and power. In the local latitudes, too, the plant has been popular as a container cultivation for centuries. The pomegranate tree is actually a large shrub that grows densely branched. The fruits are edible. However, many consumers ask themselves whether the cores are just as toxic as those of a conventional apple. But this question can be answered clearly with no. So the fruit looks like this:
- red, firm shell
- inside hundreds of cores
- little white flesh
- the cores are embedded in it
- little liquid inside
- Juice is in the kernels
Eat pomegranate seeds
When the pomegranate is cut open, the many red seeds immediately catch the eye. These are not poisonous and can be eaten. On the contrary, these are even very healthy and the only edible one at the pomegranate. The skin is too hard to eat and the flesh is too bitter to eat. So it is one of the healthiest fruits ever, which is due to the following ingredients:
- copper
- zinc
- carotene
- Vitamins C and E
- iron
- potassium
- fiber and minerals
At 74 kilocalories and 16.7 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams of fresh fruit, that's no small amount, but these are healthy calories when compared to others like those found in chocolate. Fat and protein, on the other hand, only contain traces and are therefore hardly worth mentioning.
tip: Due to the ingredients, the pomegranate is said to have a positive effect on the joints, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In addition, the healthy ingredients should also ensure better blood circulation and keep the vessels elastic. In this way, your body is supplied with healthy antioxidants when consumed, which has even been scientifically proven.
Open pomegranate properly
Anyone who knows pomegranates knows that it is difficult to get to the healthy seeds without damaging the kitchen, the floor, the cupboards or even your own clothes. Because if the kernels are to be removed from the shell for eating, there can quickly be too many small splashes with the contained fruit juice come. Most often, the fruit is cut in half and the pomegranate seeds are carefully crumbled into a bowl for eating. However, there are a few tips that make it easier to get the pomegranate seeds clean for consumption or further processing:
- Squeeze and drink
- easily with a citrus press
- Roll the pomegranate firmly back and forth to loosen the seeds
- knead firmly
- then cut open
- fall out by themselves
- tap the shell a little
- Hold half over bowl
notice: Pomegranate seed juice can leave unsightly and very stubborn stains on your clothes or other fabrics that are not so easy to remove. You have to know that the liquid from the seeds was used to dye carpets in the early Orient.
use
The seeds of the pomegranate are versatile in the kitchen. They can be eaten raw or dried. But the juice is also very tasty and healthy, and squeezing it is a healthy alternative to consuming the pomegranate seeds, which are by no means toxic and, on the contrary, very healthy. The innovative kitchen has already discovered cooking with the kernels and so they are used in many different dishes. But jam or compote can also be made from the healthy kernels. Here is how you can use the healthy fruits as follows:
- as pomegranate seed oil
- available in well-stocked specialist shops
- contains unsaturated fatty acids
- protects the body cells from damage
- pure and fresh as a topping on dishes
- particularly healthy
- Drink heart juice daily
- dried fruit from the drugstore or pharmacy
- to fight bacterial infections
- such as periodontitis or other infections in the throat
tip: Be sure to always remove all of the white flesh. Even if this is also not poisonous, it still tastes inedible and very bitter. These bitter substances could get into the end product by adhering to the kernels and thus make the food less tasty.