The Jewel of Winter, the Jewel of Persia

By Uncle Paul

Today I would like to take you on journey and a treasure hunt back in time. We search for one of the most incredible jewels in the world, the jewel of winter. Its beauty is unlike any other seen in nature, sparkling to the eyes and a deep burgundy in color. Its value is increasing by the minute. To find it, we must travel to the cradle of civilization itself, crossing unbelievably hot deserts, braving winds and dust storms, past high desert mountains and across the Iranian plateau, into ancient Persia. Here is where our treasure lies hidden within its leather case of protection. When you find this jewel you will find 839 more just like it. This treasure is one of the oldest fruits known to mankind: the incredible pomegranate.

At first the pomegranate was thought to be native to China; however, pomegranates were actually brought to China about 100 B.C. The pomegranate found its way to Italy and the Romans called it the Punic apple. Because of its beauty, in ancient Rome they tanned the pomegranate skin and used the rinds as a form of leather for clothing and as a fabric pattern.

Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Homer have all praised the pomegranate in their tales. King Henry VIII planted the first pomegranate in Britain. One of his wives — Catherine of Aragon — had her coat of arms made from the skin of pomegranates. The Moors brought the fruit to Spain round 800 A.D. The city of Granada was named for the pomegranate, and the fruit represents Granada on the country’s coat of arms.

The Jewel of Winter is a mysterious fruit, with leathery purple skin and spongy white flesh. Its complex interior is revealed once you break it open to expose the 840 seeds covered in juice sacs, or arils. Taking out the seeds is not complex; just slice off the top and cut the fruit into sections; then place them in a bowl of water, roll out the arils, and discard the rest. The pomegranate’s rich, flavorful juice is tangy and sweet and is great used in sauces, drinks, desserts, and many other dishes. The seeds taste wonderful if eaten fresh, used as a garnish, or added to salads.

The pomegranate contains high amounts of fiber, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium. The juice of the pomegranate, say researchers at the University of Wisconsin Medical School, shows major promise to combat prostate cancer. This is the most common invasive cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men. Research at the University of Wisconsin and elsewhere has shown that the pomegranate is rich in antioxidants, acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, and is effective against tumors in mouse skin. The Wisconsin study found that mice with tumors from human prostate cancer cells had slower tumor growth and decreased levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) when they drank water mixed with pomegranate extract.

“Our study — while early — adds to growing evidence that pomegranates contain very powerful agents against cancer, particularly prostate cancer,” says lead author Dr. Hasan Mukhtar, professor of dermatology at the university.

Pomegranates have been nutritional gems for thousands of years, with antioxidant properties nearly three times that of green tea or red wine. Antioxidants help prevent cellular damage from free radicals, which occur naturally when chemical bonds holding molecules together break apart. Free radicals eventually destroy healthy cells. A healthy body can fight the process and repair damaged tissue, but it requires constant and adequate supply of vitamin C and vitamin E, which pomegranates provide.

So step back in time, slice though that beautiful leathery skin, and enjoy the Jewel of Winter: The amazing pomegranate, truly one of the most valuable treasures in the world.

Uncle Paul, along with his wife Calla, owns Uncle Paul’s European Style Open Air Produce Market, 2310 SE Hawthorne, 503-484-8612 or visit www.unclepaulsproduce.com