Photo: A typical street scene in Istanbul, Turkey … making fresh pomegranate juice to order!
I just returned from Istanbul, Turkey and I loved the food, the bread and the pomegranate juice on every street corner.
Pomegranate is the Turkish energy drink—with a 4000 year history as a superfood, it’s rich in flavor and powerful antioxidants. The problem is that the bottled stuff you buy in the United States is just not the same as freshly squeezed.
So—invest in a juice press and when in season—press, press, press! Pomegranates are grown in California from August through December. Enjoy the arils (seeds), in a salad, muffins or straight from the fruit.
Here is an easy way to get fresh juice from a fresh pomegranate:
USE THE ROLLING METHOD: On a hard surface, press the palm of your hand against a pomegranate and gently roll to break all of the seeds inside (crackling stops when all seeds have broken open). Pierce the rind and squeeze out juice, or poke in a straw and press to release the juice. NOTE: Rolling can be done inside a plastic bag to contain any juice that may leak through the skin.
Pomegranates are a symbol of prosperity, hope and abundance in every part of the world. So next time you see a pomegranate, treat it with respect!