All About Pomegranate | Know Your Spice Anardana (Punica Granatum) or Anar

Pomegranate or Punica Granatum is deciduous shrub or a small tree from the Punicaceae family. is indigenous to Southern Europe and Mediterranean area.

It is distributed in the warmer regions of both the hemispheres. It is widely cultivated in Iran, Afghanistan and Baluchistan.

In India it is grown in almost all states but cultivated in large scale in the States of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.

It thrives best in places with a hot dry summer, with irrigation. The seed dried with pulp is used as a spice in many dishes.

The pomegranate originated in the region extending from Iran to northern India. It has been cultivated since ancient times throughout the Mediterranean region.

It was introduced into Spanish America in the late 16th century and into California by Spanish settlers in 1769.

The name pomegranate derives from medieval Latin pōmum “apple” and grānātum “seeded”.

The pomegranate originates in the Middle East, with findings such as fossilized leaves, branches and seeds dating back to the early Bronze Age (3500–2000 BC).

Scientists have placed it in the first five positions in the list of the oldest cultivated fruits, along with the olive, grape, date palm and fig.

The pomegranate tree, which is said to have flourished in the garden of Eden, has been used extensively in the folk medicine of many cultures.

In many religions and cultures, it is thought to be an auspicious symbol, mostly of life, luck, abundance and fertility.

In ancient Greek mythology, the fruits were known as the “fruit of the dead” and in the ancient Hebrew tradition, pomegranates adorned the vestments of the high priest.

The Babylonians regarded pomegranate seeds as an agent of resurrection, the Persians believed the seeds conferred invincibility on the battlefield.

For the ancient Chinese the seeds stood for longevity and immortality.

The fruit was used in many ways as it is today and was featured in Egyptian mythology and art, praised in the Old Testament of the Bible and in the Babylonian Talmud.

It was carried by desert caravans for the sake of its thirst-quenching juice. It travelled to central and southern India from Iran about the first century A.D. and was reported growing in Indonesia in 1416.

• Arils or clusters of juice sacs can be lifted out of the rind and eaten.
• Its juice is widely made into grenadine for use in mixed drinks.
• In northern India, a major use of the wild fruits is for the preparation of “anardana”–the juice sacs being dried in the sun for 10 to 15 days and then sold as a spice.
• All parts of the tree have been utilized as sources of tannin for curing leather.
• Both the rind and the flowers yield dyes for textiles.
• Ink can be made by steeping the leaves in vinegar.
• In Japan, an insecticide is derived from the bark.
• The pale-yellow wood is very hard and, while available only in small dimensions, is used for walking-sticks and in woodcrafts.
• The juice of wild fruit yields citric acid and sodium citrate for pharmaceutical purposes.
• The juice enters into preparations for treating dyspepsia and is considered beneficial in leprosy.
• In Mexico, a decoction of the flowers is gargled to relieve oral and throat inflammation.
• Because of their tannin content, extracts of the bark, leaves, immature fruit and fruit rind have been given as astringents to halt diarrhea, dysentery and hemorrhages.
• Pomegranate juice, in the form of powder, may be used in yogurt production.
• Several films and coatings have been developed by incorporating its peel extracts.

Pome­granate have a fresh, sweet–sour, very pleasant taste. Some strains actually taste honey-sweet, while others may display balanced sweetness and acidity.

The spice is made from plants that belong to a wild form of pome­granate. Their seeds have an aggressively acidic and astringent taste.

They should be kept in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, out of direct sunlight. Whole fruit can be refrigerated and will keep as long as 2 months.

Fresh seeds or juice will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Pomegranate arils can be frozen for later use.

They should be kept in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, out of direct sunlight. They are best stored in the refrigerator.

The best pomegranate substitutes are cranberries, red currants, sour cherries, and raspberries. Or, you can try pomegranate syrup or juice, or cranberry juice for smoothies.

You can also substitute grenadine for pomegranate juice.

For anardana spice you can use one tablespoon tamarind paste, fresh lemon or lime juice or, amchur powder.

Fresh pomegranates will be available in fruits and vegetables section. For Anardana spice look in the spice aisles.

If you are not in India, you may also find shelled pomegranate seeds in the frozen aisle of the store. Check the freezers with the fruits or possibly even the frozen organic section.

If buying online, try this link.

The following are health benefits of Anar, Pomegranate (Punica Granatum) or Anardana

• Health Benefits of Pomegranate as an Antioxidant – Pomegranate are so powerful that pomegranate juice has been found to have three times the antioxidant activity of red wine and green tea
• Health Benefits of Anardana for Diabetes – The punicalagin class of flavonoid antioxidants in pomegranates offer immense inflammation-reducing qualities, thereby alleviating the agonizing symptoms of high blood sugar such as muscle pain and fatigue.
• Health Benefits of Pomegranate for Heart Health – In vitro, in vivo and human trials had examined the effects of a range of pomegranate constituents on the prevention and reduction of atherosclerosis and LDL oxidation
• Health Benefits of Pomegranate for Teeth Health: There is some limited evidence suggesting that pomegranate juice may help control dental plaque.
• Health Benefits of Anardana as an Anti-inflammatory Agent – Pomegranate juice may help ward off infections, says the NIH.
• Health Benefits of Pomegranate as an Antimicrobial Agent – Extracts and oils from the Anardana plant show moderate antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
• Health Benefits of Punica Granatum for Kidney Health – Study available on the NCBI website states that pomegranate has anti-hypercalciuria (controlling calcium) and anti-urolithiasis (inhibiting stone formation) effects.
• Health Benefits of Pomegranate against Cancer – Research on breast cancer cell lines demonstrated that pomegranate constituents efficiently inhibited angiogenesis, invasiveness, growth, and induced apoptosis.
• Health Benefits of Punica Granatum for Bone Health – Research suggests that Pomegranate extracts can aid in the treatment of bone health problems. The herb contains calcium, ergosterol (a precursor of vitamin D), and vitamin C, which can collectively help to keep your bones strong.
• Health Benefits of Pomegranate for Memory Function – Pomegranate juice is rich in polyphenols, which have been found to improve memory function.
• Health Benefits of Anar for Skin Care: According to dermatologists, pomegranate juice can help replenish dry, dull skin. It is also a great source of vitamin C.
• Health Benefits of Pomegranate for Weight Loss: Eating food rich in fiber slows digestion, which helps to keep you feeling full. And the more full you are on healthy fiber-rich foods like pomegranate, the less junk you’re likely to eat.
• Health Benefits of Anar for Rheumatoid Arthritis – Due to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, the pomegranate can decrease joint tenderness, swelling, and pain.