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Modern cooking boasts a huge variety of dishes and seasonings for them. Pomegranate syrup is an essential ingredient in Turkish, Azerbaijani and Israeli cuisines. It is able to complement most oriental dishes, decorating with an indescribable taste and aroma.
Benefits of pomegranate syrup
Like the juice from the fruits of this fruit, pomegranate syrup retains all the beneficial properties and a set of trace elements and vitamins. It is rich in ascorbic and folic acid, vital for the proper functioning of the body. Among the vitamins that make up pomegranate syrup, A, B1, B2, C, E and PP have the greatest benefits for the body. Their regular intake in the body strengthens the immune system and slows down the aging process, accelerating the natural regeneration of cells.
Among the useful elements, iron is distinguished, which improves the general condition of the circulatory system, and calcium, an element necessary for most biochemical processes in body tissues. Potassium and magnesium contained in the finished syrup are also very useful for humans. Substances improve brain activity, are responsible for the proper functioning of the nervous system.
How is pomegranate syrup used?
In the modern world with its general globalization, this dessert has long gone beyond the boundaries of its historical homeland. Its beneficial properties and unique taste are used on all continents.
Pomegranate syrup, made from fruit juice, has a wide range of uses in both cooking and medicine. It is an excellent addition to both meat and a variety of desserts. From a medical point of view, the beneficial substances contained in it can improve the functioning of many vital organs.
The use of pomegranate syrup in cooking
In cooking, it is customary to divide pomegranate syrup into two types – grenadine and narsharab. The first is a sugary thick liquid made from a mixture of various juices with a predominance of pomegranate. Narsharab is pure pomegranate juice with the addition of a small amount of citric acid and various spices and seasonings – basil, coriander, black pepper, cinnamon and bay leaf.
In modern cooking, grenadine is used in a huge variety of dishes. It is an excellent addition to most desserts and can be used as a topping for ice cream, coffee or pancakes. Grenadine is very common in cocktails – thanks to its unusual consistency, it can turn a drink into a real work of art.
Narsharab is a more traditional condiment in Middle Eastern cuisine. It is ideal with meat, vegetables and fish dishes. Based on it, unsurpassed marinades for meat are created. Narsharab is also used in traditional Turkish and Azerbaijani desserts.
The use of pomegranate syrup in medicine
Doctors say that regular use of such a syrup increases the overall level of useful hemoglobin, thereby minimizing the risk of anemia. In fact, pomegranate fruits contain a large amount of easily digestible iron useful for the human body.
One of the most important features of pomegranate syrup from Turkey, used in medicine, is the ability to minimize the development of cancer in humans. It is believed that in combination with modern methods of treatment, the use of small portions of pomegranate syrup can stop the development of cancer cells.
Useful folacin and a large amount of tannins are actively involved in the regulation of the gastrointestinal tract. Substances relieve inflammation in the intestines, speed up the metabolism in tissues, and also help get rid of prolonged diarrhea. The syrup also has an excellent diuretic effect, allowing a person to get rid of edema.
How to make pomegranate syrup
Recently, the product has become so popular that it can be found in almost any major supermarket chain. However, many health-conscious people prefer to make it on their own in order to avoid unscrupulous manufacturers who add a variety of dyes and preservatives to their products.
The main ingredient of the dessert is pomegranate juice. The grains should be as ripe as possible and should not contain traces of mold. The finished juice is filtered through gauze, mixed with sugar, various spices and put on a small fire to evaporate excess water. When the consistency of the liquid becomes thick, it is removed from the fire and cooled.
Pomegranate Syrup Recipes
There are a huge number of recipes for making pomegranate syrup. Most of them differ in the spices used and the need to add sugar. For the classic narsharab recipe you will need:
- 3 kg of pomegranate seeds;
- 1 garlic head;
- 3 Art. l. dried basil;
- 2 tbsp. l. ground coriander.
The grains are placed in a saucepan and boiled to a consistency resembling thick jam, constantly stirring with a pusher. When the bones turn white, the mass is filtered to get the juice. It is boiled over low heat, stirring constantly. Half of the water should evaporate and the liquid should turn a dark ruby color. Spices and garlic are added to the resulting mass, boiled for about 15 minutes. The finished dish is removed from the fire, cooled and bottled.
To make sweeter grenadine, apple juice and a small amount of sugar are used. In order to make the finished syrup thicker, potato starch is used. The entire list of ingredients for grenadine is as follows:
- 4 ripe pomegranates;
- 1 l of apple juice;
- 3 Art. liter. starch;
- 3 Art. liter. sugar;
- 4 bud of carnation;
- 1 st. l. coriander;
- 1 tsp. nutmeg
Pomegranates are peeled and peeled between grains. The grains are crushed and the composition is filtered to obtain pure juice. Pomegranate juice is mixed with apple juice and put the mixture on a slow fire. Spices are added to the liquid and evaporated by about 20-30%. Then it is necessary to pour in a thin stream of starch diluted in water, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. The finished dish is cooled and bottled.
There is also a Turkish recipe for making pomegranate syrup. Its feature is the presence in the composition of only one ingredient – the pomegranate itself. It is believed that from 2,5 kg of ripe fruit, about 200 ml of concentrated syrup is obtained. Preparation consists of the following steps:
- Fruits are peeled, juice is obtained from grains using a juicer.
- The juice is poured into an enamel pan, brought to a boil.
- Over low heat, gradually evaporate the liquid until a thick mass is formed.
Turkish style syrup is perfect for all local chicken and beef meat dishes. It gives the meat a unique sweet and sour taste and a delicate fruity aroma.
How to take pomegranate syrup
To get the maximum benefit for the body, it is important to follow some rules for using this product. It is important to follow the recommended dosages. Since pomegranate syrup is a concentrated juice with added sugar, its maximum dose per day to reveal its beneficial properties should not be more than 100 ml. Exceeding the dosage can cause an increase in blood pressure and hypervitaminosis.
If the product is used in its pure form, care should be taken to protect tooth enamel. Dentists recommend using a straw to avoid getting acid on your teeth. You can also dilute it with water and mix it with other juice to change the acid balance to a more neutral side.
Противопоказания
As with any fruity dessert, some people should be wary of pomegranate syrup. Among the restrictions on use, the following diseases are usually distinguished:
- increased acidic environment in the stomach and gastrointestinal tract;
- chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- gastritis in all manifestations;
- peptic ulcer;
- constipation and intestinal obstruction.
Due to the high acid content, this product is not recommended for people with dental problems. Its excessive use contributes to the destruction of tooth enamel, so it is recommended to dilute the dessert with water to reduce acidity.
Terms and conditions of storage
Having a large amount of sugar in its composition, the product boasts a rather long shelf life. Thanks to such a natural preservative, a bottle of dessert can withstand up to a year, subject to storage conditions. The optimum temperature is considered to be 5-10 degrees. The room should not be heavily lit and direct sunlight should be avoided.
As for store analogues, their shelf life can reach unrealistic – 2-3 years. Most often, the manufacturer overdoes it with the addition of artificial preservatives in order to extend the shelf life. It is worth giving preference to more expensive products and firms seeking to maintain their reputation.
Conclusion
Pomegranate syrup is a real find for lovers of variety in the preparation of familiar dishes. He is able to turn a simple recipe into a real work of art. If you use this product in moderation, its beneficial effect will positively affect your overall health.
