Hello again, as you already know, I am Eduardo and I am a farmer and I answer the most common questions about seasonal fruits .
In this case we have my friend and farmer Paco, who will answer all your questions about pomegranates .
The pomegranate It is a fruit with a large number of health benefits and the best of all is that we have here, in Spain, the largest amount of world production of this fruit .
Let's get started!
What types of grenades are there?
There are up to 500 varieties of pomegranates in the world , but we can highlight these varieties that are the most common:
- The Mollar variety : It has two varieties:
- Mollar de Elche : This is the variety most consumed in Europe. It is a native variety from Valencia. Its seeds are soft, very sweet and it is ideal for eating fresh, although juice can also be made from it. It has a more reddish skin.
- Mollar Valenciana: It is a variety very similar to the Elche variety but they differ in their external colour. The Mollar Valenciana Granada has a more brownish colour.
- Wonderful: It is one of the most cultivated in the world (mainly America and Asia), it has hard seeds and a more acidic flavour. Its main use is for the juice and liquor industries as its colour is more intense, but not for direct consumption.
- Acco: It is a variety similar to the previous one with a sweet and sour taste and early cultivation.
What kind of fruit is pomegranate?
Botanically we can say that it is a dried fruit of the Balausta type (it is the only one of this type), but nutritionally it is a fruit and since the tree from which it comes is a bush (the pomegranate), the pomegranate is considered a berry .
Where is pomegranate grown?
The Mollar variety is grown in the Valencian Community , the world's leading producer of this fruit with more than 90% of European production, and also has a Protected Designation of Origin.
When is it collected?
The pomegranate is a fruit that we can only see in autumn. The earliest varieties such as the Wonderful or the Acco (which are the most acidic) are harvested in September. The Mollar varieties of pomegranate are harvested from the day of Saint Francis of Assisi (July 4) until November.
What is the best variety of pomegranate?
The best type of pomegranate to eat is the Granada Mollar de Elche, because it is the sweetest variety, and since it has softer seeds, it is easier to eat.
It is a variety that has a Protected Designation of Origin.
In Grandfather's Fields You have freshly picked pomegranates, ready to eat. You can buy them HERE
How do you know when a pomegranate is ready to eat?
The best way to know if the pomegranate is ripe and ready to eat is by its external colour, which changes from green to a more bone-coloured and brownish tone in the case of the Valencian pomegranate and a more reddish colour in the Elche pomegranate .
Remember that this fruit is not climacteric, it will not ripen after being cut, so do not buy them when they are green because they will not ripen.
On the complete opposite side are, for example, avocados that do not ripen on the tree ; you have to cut them so that they begin to ripen.
How long does fresh pomegranate last?
An unopened pomegranate can last up to two months.
If we open it, we can also keep it open for days and it will not spoil as long as we do not separate the seeds from the skin. The skin will spoil first, but the seeds will still be perfect.
We can eat, for example, half a pomegranate and leave the other one in the refrigerator for days for a salad and it will still be perfect.
What is the best way to preserve pomegranates?
It is best preserved at low temperatures and high humidity, so it is advisable to keep it in the refrigerator if it is going to take a long time to consume it, but if you are going to eat it in the following days, you can leave it out.
Since it is not a climacteric fruit (climacteric fruits continue to ripen after being harvested), it can be kept with other fruits, which is not the case with bananas or apples, which ripen the fruits around them.
How long does a peeled pomegranate last?
Its shelf life is very short, so it is best not to remove the seeds until you are ready to consume it, and if the pomegranate has already been opened, leave the seeds inside the skin. It will keep for many more days.
How to consume pomegranate?
There are different ways to eat pomegranate . The most common way is to eat it fresh, but you can also eat it in salads and juices. You can use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and eat them.
What are the benefits of pomegranate?
Pomegranate is a fruit that has a large number of health benefits, but among those that stand out are:
- Contains antioxidants
- They combat cellular aging
- Reduces cholesterol
- Maintains cardiovascular health
- Low in calories
There is recent research that says that pomegranate juice contains antibacterial and anticancer substances, but it is still too early to establish a direct relationship between the consumption of this fruit and these diseases.
What happens if I eat pomegranate seeds?
Pomegranate seeds can be eaten without any problem, but if you consume too many pomegranate seeds, they can cause constipation.
Where to buy Pomegranate Mollar Online?
At Campos Del Abuelo we have fruits and vegetables directly from the farmer without post-harvest chemicals. On our website you can buy Mollar de Elche Pomegranates , as well as other seasonal fruits and vegetables .
Visit our online store and see all our products.
