Who doesn’t want to be that little bit healthier? Especially if improving your health involves minimal effort. With this in mind we’ve made it our mission to bring you news each week of a product, a foodstuff, an exercise technique or a pill that promises potentially magical health-giving properties.
This week’s magic ingredient: Pomegranate.
Not to be confused with: Permanganate (a chemical compound), pomeranian, granite.
Pomegranate. I’ve heard of that thing. Remind me? Pomegranate is a fruit which looks nice and rosy on the outside with a waxy skin. Cut it open and it looks like woodworm. Purple or red coloured seeds. Yes, you freaked out when you saw it first but if you dare to dabble you’ll received the just rewards.
Hang on a minute. You expect me to scoop that stuff out and swallow? Don’t be such a pussy. Suck it up and take a big scoop. Sweet and crunchy. Alternatively, pomegranate juice is very popular in the Far East, and has caught on in Ireland, but there’s nothing like taking it directly from the source, in a manly way.
How do I get these things without having to make an ass of myself pronouncing it wrongly to a greengrocer? Good point. If you dare to wander into a fruit & veg shop unaided by herself you need to look for exotic fruits. Usually they will be imported from Iran, Turkey or India and will probably be nestled in one of those wooden crates with fake straw.
Right. Give me the full lowdown. Why should I bother to risk the mortification? Ah, well there’s the money-maker.
Pomegranates are a true man food. It slows prostate cancer (not scientifically proven, only in mice). The juice also lowers cholesterol and blood pressure.
There’s still something nagging me about pomegranate, not so much the food but the word itself… Ah so you’ve actually read the Bible. The pomegranate is mentioned in the Bible numerous times.
Jewish tradition teaches that the pomegranate is a symbol for righteousness, because it is said to have 613 seeds which corresponds with the 613 commandments of the Torah. If you count them all in an actual pomegranate you will find there are varying amounts in each fruit, though.
Anything else I should know? Well it can be used in cooking, if you are the culinary type. Many Greek dishes include pomegranate and you could chance asking for some the next time you go for a kebab. You do risk a bollocking though.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
