I felt like a seed in a pomegranate. Some say that the pomegranate was the real apple of Eve, fruit of the womb, I would eat my way into perdition to taste you.
Jeanette Winterson
They dangle from their tree like jewels, and when split open reveal within a treasure trove of burgundy delight, little bursts of flavor wrapped around seeds that promise endless seasons more of their luscious flavor.
Such was the seductive power of the pomegranate that Persephone, warned by her mother not to eat of anything offered to her by Hades, indulged in six seeds that locked her forever into a seasonal dance with him. Pomegranate Month recognizes the power in these delightful and unique fruits, and everything they’ve brought to both mythology and the culinary world.
History of Pomegranate Month
The Pomegranate has been with us for a very long time, stretching back through history to its first recorded appearance in Ancient Egypt, where it was used for the treatment of various infections and even tapeworm. We can then see it in Ancient Greece where it was considered the fruit of the dead, and was associated with the Hades and Persephone myth, where her consumption of six seeds led to her spending half the year locked in the land of the dead.
Pomegranates are more than just a simple fruit, they’re packed of Vitamin C, dietary fiber, folate, and much more. They’re truly little treasure-troves of health and nutrition, with a reputation for being something of a miracle cure.
Such was its popularity that POM has used it as the foundation of its entire product line, citing anti-inflammatory, anti-disease, and anti-oxidant properties as just a few of its benefits. Such wonderful rich and beautiful fruit deserves a celebration, and that’s what Pomegranate Month brings it.
How to celebrate Pomegranate Month
Pomegranate Month is best celebrated by emulating Persephone and indulging in the decadence that is the Pomegranate. There are endless ways of enjoying the pomegranate, from simply feeling the delicious burst of each juice enwrapped seed as you pop them between your teeth, to a full and rich glass of the glimmering juice.
You can even choose to enjoy them in some cultural favorites, including ash-e anar, a soup from Persia that is based in the juice of this delicious plant. Want something to carry you through your day while providing a tart explosion? Buy them dried and mix them into your trail mix or snack on them throughout the day.
