POMEGRANATE TEA - HOW TO MAKE IT AND WHAT THE BENEFITS ARE DRINKING IT

                                    

POMEGRANATES CONSIDERED BY MANY AS  A SUPERFOOD DUE TO ITS HIGH LEVELS OF ANTIOXIDENTS, richness  in fiber, vitamins, minerals and a bioactive plancompound; its the Punicalagins compound in the juice that gives you thehealth benefits ie anti-inflammatory, lowering of blood pressure when drunk regularily and has been shown to promote  against heart-disease. Quite a powehouse of goodness!
HOW TO SPOT A JUICY POMEGRANATE
There are 3 main things to look out for when selecting a juicy pomegranate :

Size - in pomegranates size does matter! - A ripe pomegranate should feel heavy for its size; an indication that the seeds are full and juicy. Make sure you pick it up and feel the weight. Large ones tendto be juicier. 

Shape - the overall shape should NOT be round, but more flat, slighlty angular on the side. If completely flat, it can be an indication that the fruit has dryed out.

Colour -Pomegranates vary in color from light to dark red. The darker the colour the juicier it will be. The real clues to ripeness are the smoothness and firmness of its  leathery skin. Avoid any that are bruised as this could effect the inside - seeds damaged
                                                                  

                                                 

How to Open a Pomegranate - without being 'juiced'!
There are 2 methods that I favour - not as messy and less likelihood of getting juiced and staining your clothes!

Water Method

Score the pomegranate  quarters and place in a bowl of warm water. Break open the pomegranates under water to free the seeds  (arils). The arils will sink to the bottom of the bowl and the membrane  will float to the top. Discard the membrane, its too bitter to use. Empty the water out and collect your 'seeds'.

Tapping Method

Slice the pomegranate in half horizontally, take one of the halves and hold the cut side down in the palm of your hand- over a medium size bowl. spread your fingers a bit and  position the pomegranate on top them.
Take  a  wooden spoon or rolling pin  and begin to hit firmly on the top surface of  the pom WHACK NOT TAP If  you tap too gently, the seeds will NOT be released.  Good tip- place the bowl for catching arils in the sink before you start whaking.- keeps any mess to a minimum.
Arils (seeds) will drop through your fingers into the bowl.Discard any white pith that may have fall through

                                                       

POMEGRANATE TEA - A GREAT WAY TO RECEIVE THE HEALTH BENEFITS
Separate arils ( seeds) from its membrane, as above. Juice the Seeds - Strain the seeds from  the bowl and place them in a blender. Pulse the blender until the seeds  are well mashed. Strain the Juice -  Pour the seeds and pulp from the blender through a sieve. Squeeze the pulp to release the juice into a bowl or pitcher.
Cheese / linen cloth is good for this if you have some to hand.

                                                        

Keep to one side whilst you prepare your tea.

WHICH TYPE OF TEA TO USE?
Most teas compliment pomegranate very well.   Greenteas have lots of additional benefits. Other herbal teas are also a great choice - try it with mint, rosehip, chamolile even dandelion !

                                                        
Boil water and pour over your chosen teabag or loose tea ( even better) and allow to 'seep' until a good strength.
Add the pomegranate juice to the tea and stir.  The amount of juice to add will depend on your taste - trial and error .  Add a little sugar or honey for a sweeter taste. ( Keep any left over juice in fridge for a smoothie tomorrow)

                                 

here I used dandelion tea with a teaspoon of honey for taste - tastes smooth

AN ALTERNATIVE JAPANESE VERSION - SEOKYLU-CHA   석류차
Ingredients
3½ cups pomegranate seeds (from 2 large pomegranates)
1 cup sugar
HOW TO MAKE
Place the pomegranate seeds in a bowl. Crush them coarsely with a pestle
about 50 to 60 times.
Add the sugar and mix well.
Put the mixture in a glass jar.
Make tea right away, or keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

HOW TO MAKE TEA
Put about ¼ cup of pomegranate seeds and juice in a tea cup. Add hot water and mix. Serve hot.
credit -http://www.maangchi.com/recipe/seoklyu-cha

                                                          

If you enjoyed my post and like smoothies/juices/healthy food then please FOLLOW ME - new friends always welcomed and comments appreciated - thank you for reading and voting :)