For refreshing crunchiness, nothing beats these scarlet fruits
Spiky on the outside but delicious on the inside, these ruby-red fruits are packed with jewel-like edible seeds. Grown since prehistoric times, pomegranates were believed to be a symbol of life – ancient Egyptians hoping to be reborn were buried with pomegranates. And in Greece and China pomegranates are a symbol of fertility and are eaten at weddings.
Sweet with a hint of sharpness, they are packed with vitamin C – just one pomegranate contains 40 per cent of an adult’s daily requirement. Pomegranates also contain vitamins E and A, iron, fibre and potassium. Drinking a daily glass of pomegranate juice is thought to help ward off heart disease because the fruit is full of powerful antioxidants.
To collect the seeds, slice the fruit in half, from crown to bottom, then remove the rind and seeds over a large bowl that is half full of water. The seeds will sink to the bottom and the rind will float on the top. Skim off the rind and strain the seeds. Eat them on their own, sprinkle over salads to give lunches extra zing or enjoy them as a topping for porridge.