Punicalagins? yes, that's a GOOD thing!

For the past few weeks, it's been Pomegranate Time in our house!!! I love 'em. They make a great snack while watching videos or TV programs on the computer through Hulu or CBS, NBC. But for some it's getting to the seeds that is a chore. Well, my mom, bless her heart, taught me a simple way of extracting the edible seeds without making pomegranate juice spray all over the house. It's a 99% sure fire way of getting to the good stuff without much mess!!

After filling a large bowl about half full of water [depending on the size of the fruit], you then:

with a sharp utility knife, trim a thin slice off the top and bottom so you can get your knife into the meat of the fruit

then, going through only the skin and fibrous membranes, slice the whole fruit into quarters, making sure you do NOT go through the entire fruit. Place the whole nicked pomegranate into the bowl filled with water and break into four pieces. Then, as you scrape the seeds from the inside of the fruit, the SEED will sink to the bottom of the bowl...

...while the fibrous debris will float to the top of the water's surface.

swipe your hand as a cup and scoop up the debris from the water.

With a colander, pour the pomegranate seeds - and water- into the colander to drain.

Store the seeds in an air tight container and chill.

...they're great, sweet-tart, and juicy!! I've sprinkled them on top of tossed salads, added them to fruit salads, and heck....the BEST way is just to munch on them and let the juices drizzle as they burst with flavor with every bite. Yes, the entire seed is edible. And oh so good. They're expensive as far as produce is concerned in comparison to other fruits and veggies at the store, but definitely worth every cent and more.


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Compounds found only in pomegranates called punicalagins are shown to benefit the heart and blood vessels. Punicalagins are the major component responsible for pomegranate's antioxidant and health benefits. They not only lower cholesterol, but also lower blood pressure and increase the speed at which heart blockages (atherosclerosis) melt away.

Recent medical research studied heart patients with severe carotid artery blockages. They were given an ounce of pomegranate juice each day for a year. Not only did study participants' blood pressure lower by over 12 percent, but there was a 30 percent reduction in atherosclerotic plaque. read more

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