Pomegranates are one of the most nutritious fruits on the market, with high mineral content. In fact, a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology says that its juice has anti-cancer effects. But pomegranates’ distinctive sour flavor when ripe sets them apart from other citrus fruits. Most people wonder whether pomegranate is a lemon or an orange.
Although pomegranate seems citrus fruits belong to Rutaceae family because of their citrusy flavor, pomegranates are not a citrus fruit. They do not belong to the same plant family, and they are not relatives. Nonetheless, their juice may be blended to make a refreshing drink that is high in important vitamins. This post covers everything you need to know about categorizing pomegranate fruits correctly and why they differ so much from citrus fruits. There are additional key facts included here to help you learn more about the fruit.
Definition of a citrus fruit
Let us first talk about citrus fruits before we get into pomegranates. Citrus plants are in the same family as rhododendrons, Rutaceae, and they originated from Southeast Asia. They’re popular in South and Central America today, but they originally came from Asia.
One of the most distinctive features about citrus fruits is their vitamin C content. The International Food Research Journal reports that oranges have 58.30 mg of vitamin C per 100 mg, whereas grapefruits have 49.15 mg of vitamin C per 100 milligrams. They are also thicker-skinned and rounded than other fruit in terms of their skin thickness and degree of rounding. Lemons, oranges, grapefruits, mandarins, and lemons are some of the most common citrus fruits available on the market. They may appear to be distinct from one another, but they all have a sour edge to them that customers enjoy.
What kind of fruit is a pomegranate?
Pomegranates are a berry from the Lythraceae family. They’re red and spherical, so they’re frequently confused with apples with flower-shaped stems. Pomegranates, like other fleshy fruits that are botanically classified as berries, have an epicarp (hard outer layer) and a mesocarp (soft inner layer), two layers in all.
The non-symmetrical chambers of the mesocarp house the pomegranate seeds, and they are encrusted with aril. This fleshy covering as well as the fruit’s seeds are edible and may be eaten raw or processed to form a juice. Meanwhile, the peel or epicarp should be discarded. Is citric acid present in pomegranate juice?
Is the sour taste of ripe pomegranates a sign that it has a comparable amount of citric acid to all citrus fruits? Those who haven’t read the chemical make-up study published in Wiley Online Library might answer yes. On the other hand, those who have read the article may correctly state that pomegranate juice is not acidic.
The juice of a pomegranate, which is made from the edible portions, contains just 0.1 grams citric acid per 100 ml, 10.6 percent sugar, 85.4 percent water, and 1.4 percent pectin; therefore its acid content is insignificant in comparison to lemons (which have 1.44 grams) and limes (which contain 1.38 grams). Acid reflux or GERD sufferers can enjoy pomegranate juice without fear of suffering any negative side effects since it has no such effects. It won’t make them sick to their stomach like citrus fruits, so they may enjoy it with a healthy sour taste.
Pomegranate A Citrus Fruit? Difference between citrus fruits and a pomegranate
You’ve probably learned more than the rest of the world about pomegranate fruit by now. But, to help you grow your understanding, here are some additional facts regarding how they differ from citrus fruits.
How they are grown
Unlike citrus fruits, Pomegranates are less demanding to grow than citrus plants. They live in almost any kind of soil, however the well-drained variety performs best. Furthermore, most individuals believe that they are drought resistant and only require watering every two to four weeks on average.
Pomegranates are often mistaken for citrus fruits due to their internal structure that resembles most citrus fruits. Their edible seeds line up between the pith.
There are two types of pomegranate seeds: “white” and “red”. The white variety has a tiny seed, which is enclosed in an aril (a fleshy covering). The red type can be seen with the naked eye. When it comes to growing, make sure you’ve removed all of the aril from the pomegranate seeds so they may quickly develop. Cover them with dirt for at least half an inch after that to allow them to germinate properly. Citrus fruits need a wind-protected sunny location in order to grow. They also require special care because they are high-maintenance plants. Before producing their first crop of fruit, most citrus plant strains require a lot of effort on your part.
Common uses and benefits
Pomegranate seeds and arils may be utilized in a variety of ways outside of pomegranate juice production. Here are some additional ideas for utilizing pomegranate seeds and arils.
- Their crimson roots are beautiful, and because they resemble rubies, they may be used to garnish salads. They’ll also add a touch of flavor to your salad.
- Bell pepper and olive oil mixtures can be used to make a dip by adding red peppers, olive oils, and walnuts.
- Blueberries are high in antioxidants, which can help prevent inflammation and remove free radicals by eating them raw or juiced.
- They are useful in preventing prostate cancer since they impede cancer cell multiplication.
Meanwhile, citrus fruits have the following most frequent applications:
- Vitamin C is found in significant quantities in citrus fruits, which is why they are so beneficial to the human body.
- They can prevent kidney stones since they increase the body’s citrate levels.
- Snacking on them can help to reduce high blood pressure and heart disease.
Taste
Pomegranates have a wide range of tastes, unlike most citrus fruits. When they are ripe, they tend to have a somewhat sour flavor similar to that of citrus or overripe berries, but they possess a sweet aftertaste. On the other hand, the unripe pomegranate has a sour and bitter taste that many people dislike.
Another thing to bear in mind is that pomegranates are not as sweet as ripe grapes or apples. Yes, they do have some natural sweetness to them, but it’s quite tart.
Similarities between citrus fruits and pomegranates in terms of nutrient content
Citrus fruits and pomegranates are not equal, as we learned in the preceding parts. If we examine the plant families to which they belong, their purposes, and how they taste, they are very different. They do, however, provide a lot of health benefits through their nutritional value.
Pomegranates are high in fiber, protein, vitamin K, folate, and potassium. Citrus fruits, on the other hand, contain large amounts of vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, calcium magnesium ,folate , manganese copper , and phosphorous. All of these nutrients help to protect you from a variety of illnesses including cancer anemia and heart disease so if you’re uncomfortable eating one or the other.
Pomegranates are classified as a distinct fruit rather than citrus fruits owing to various reasons. They originated from a different plant family, and their edible portions do not contain the requisite amount of acid that many citrus fruits have. Their purposes are also somewhat varied from those of other citrus fruits.