Imagine: If you were esteemed the richest and wisest man in the world and had to choose between apples, figs, grapes, or pomegranates, which fruit would you pick?
I'd choose Pomegranates.
Image credit: Pomegranates,Original Oil Painting
What a blessing it would have been to be invited to a banquet or feast given by this notable King of Israel? Do you think the table spread included a bounty of pomegranates along with other exotic fruits and delectable kosher delights! Imagine.
Pomegranates in Jewish History
Most people are probably familiar with the a popular TV commercial that says in Persian mythology, warriors ate this fruit before going to battle because they believed it would make them invincible.But did you know:
* That the robe (ephod) of Aaron, the brother of Moses, the high priest of the Hebrew nation, was embroidered with blue, purple, and red pomegranates?
* That when Moses sent men to search out Canaan (the older name for Palestine), the men brought back a cluster of grapes, figs and pomegranates?
When the pomegranate is ripened it is a wonderful red color and its fruit inside consists of delicious sweet pearl-like seeds in a luscious ruby-colored liquid which is equally sweet. Pomegranates were widely cultivated in Palestine (formerly Canaan) during biblical times. It is not surprising that this garden paradise would produce such an exotic fruit, as this land was home to a diversity of thousands of exquisite and exotic flowering plants. The pomegranate tree was also cultivated in Egypt during ancient times. Good news! Recent research has shown that pomegranates have anti-cancer properties and can prevent breast cancer.
Per thefreedictionary.com:
- Pomegranate: Origin of the word as we have come to know it: Middle English pome granate, from Old French pome grenate : pome, apple; see pome + grenate, having many seeds (from Latin gr n tus, from gr num, grain, seed; see g -no- in Indo-European roots). But in Hebrew, the word is: rimmon.
Galilee, the childhood home of Jesus, was beautiful and fertile. It was a place where pomegranates and many other fruits grew well.
Interesting facts for sure. :)
No matter the history or mythology that surrounds this exquisitely delicious exotic fruit, I'm glad pomegranates are not the stuff of myths or legends and they really do still exist! In fact, they are a main ingredient in Persian cuisine and are considered to be a super food.
The wonderful pomegranate is a hardy ornamental with a fabulous fall harvest. One would look lovely in your landscape bed, or plant several as a shrub boarder along the house. Pomegranates grow 8-10 feet tall with an equal spread. They are most often grown as a shrub, but if you prefer a tree they’re simple enough to prune into a desired shape. Many people grow the Pomegranate not for the fruit, but simply for its ornamental appeal. But once you’ve tasted a Pomegranate from your very own tree ...
Image credit: Grapes and Pomegranates
