Pomegranate

By Kieran

 The wonderful Pomegranate


 
Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025, inspired by another seasonal favourite fruit, the wonderful pomegranate


The Norman invasion of England gave us words from French that fits our needs
Any round fruit was 'Pom' giving us the name Pomegranate or fruit with seeds

Today's artwork celebrates 5000 years of cultivation that was beloved of kings
Each of the hundred of juicy seed sacs or arils pulls at your very heartstrings

Sparkling like rubies, each seed is gift wrapped in a translucent sarcotesta
The tough rind protects the sweet contents even as the seeds swell for a fiesta

The rind also has most of the antioxidants; traditional medicine uses it dried
So when you enjoy a pomegranate remember the are many reasons to feel satisfied

Comments

Anonymous said…
The arils are so well done. I can literally taste the fruit. Superb! (WhatsApp comment from a dear relative in Houston, TX)
November 28, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Kieran said…
This magic is something called ‘values’ - the lightness or darkness of a color (red in this case), ranging from the white of the paper to the darkest mix of pigment - that is appealing to the eye. I chose this artwork to practice value painting. Glad you liked it - Kieran
November 28, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Anonymous said…
Kieran,
God has blessed you so much and you have used it well. You have learned to communicate straight to the heart and I thank you for sharing your gift with me. (WhatsApp comment from a very dear friend at St Simon's Chruch in Los Altos, CA)
November 28, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Kieran said…
You are a very special friend Louise from whom I learn a lot.
Happy Thanksgiving at the table of our Lord - Kieran
November 28, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Anonymous said…
Another one of my favourites!
My research into the microbiome and good gut bacteria has led me to supplement with Akermansia.
And guess which food creates this? Yup you guessed it - Pomegranates.
A super food. They are so expensive here It’s ridiculous. I really should plant a tree (WhatsApp comment from a childhood friend in Sydney)
November 28, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Kieran said…
The “Wonderful” cultivar of pomegranate is a specific variety grown on a large scale of 1 million plants in Southern California — it was brought to California in the late 19th century, and has become the predominant commercial pomegranate in the U.S. thanks to its desirable traits: deep color (both rind and juice), good flavor, high juice yield, and relatively soft seeds that are good for juicing.
This is the season and we pay only $3 for a baseball size fruit bursting with flavor. Short season ends in January so we really go all in - Kieran
November 28, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Anonymous said…
A super food ! ❤️ (Reply to the above comment)
November 28, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Kieran said…
Yes indeed. Eat the seeds and mix the dried rinds in your smoothie - both packed with nutrients - Kieran
November 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Anonymous said…
Actually those are the ones I buy. California pomegranates. Usually $8 each . Size of a large handful
But very delicious (Reply to the above comment)
November 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Anonymous said…
👌🏼 Herat in western Afghanistan is famous for its pomegranates. Since mediaeval times it was famous for the Anar-sabz variety with green skin. Located on the silk route, the fruit travelled widely.
Muscat variety pomegranates are white inside. In the 1980s MPKV Rahuri released its own Muscat and then Ganesh (large size, bright red) cultivars which popularized the fruit among farmers in drought prone areas of Maharashtra. Now pomegranates from Maharashtra are exported to Middle East and Europe. (WhatsApp comment from a childhood friend on the same group)
November 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Kieran said…
Thanks for sharing this great information, David. ❣️ - Kieran
November 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Anonymous said…
Very healthy too in many ways...
Never knew it helped with Akermansia....👌 Our landlord grew it in Kirkee / Khadki (Reply by another childhood friend also on the same group)
November 28, 2025 at 4:49 PM
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