A Recipe For Pomegranate Molasses And What to Make with It - California Grown (2024)

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Pomegranate molasses is a thick, syrupy reduction made from pomegranate juice. It is a versatile ingredient that adds a unique sweet and tangy flavor to all types of dishes. Its vibrant color and rich taste make it a favorite in both sweet and savory recipes. From marinades and dressings to desserts and drinks, you’ll always want to keep this ingredient on hand.

A Recipe For Pomegranate Molasses And What to Make with It - California Grown (1)

California Pomegranates: The Crown Jewel of the Golden State

The Central Valley is the agricultural powerhouse of California and the heart of pomegranate country. It’s where the majority of the nation’s pomegranates are cultivated​​. The region’s climate and soil conditions are ideal for growing these vibrant fruits, making California a leading producer of pomegranates.

Short and Sweet Seasonal Splendor

Pomegranate season in California is relatively brief but bountiful, typically spanning from September to December​​. During this period, fresh pomegranates and their arils (the juicy, ruby-red seeds) are widely available, while pomegranate juice remains a staple that is available year-round.

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How to Make Pomegranate Molasses at Home

Making pomegranate molasses is simpler than you might think. All you need is pomegranate juice, sugar, and lemon juice. Simmering these ingredients together creates a thick, flavorful syrup that you’ll be using in your recipes again and again. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Gather fresh pomegranate juice, sugar, and a bit of lemon juice.
  2. Combine the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer until the mixture reduces to a syrupy consistency.
  3. Let the molasses cool, then transfer to a glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Now it’s ready to use or store.
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A Recipe For Pomegranate Molasses And What to Make with It - California Grown (5)

What to Make with Pomegranate Molasses

  1. Savory Dishes with Pomegranate Molasses: Pomegranate molasses can elevate numerous savory dishes. It works wonderfully as a marinade for meats, adds a tangy twist to salad dressings, and can be used as a glaze for roasted vegetables.
  2. Sweet Treats with Pomegranate Molasses: In sweet dishes, pomegranate molasses adds depth and a hint of tartness. It’s excellent in fruit salads, drizzled over desserts like cheesecake or ice cream, and can be incorporated into baked goods for an unexpected flavor twist.
  3. Refreshing Beverages with Pomegranate Molasses: Add a splash of pomegranate molasses to your co*cktails or mocktails for a unique, tangy flavor. It pairs exceptionally well with sparkling water for a refreshing mocktail too.
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Understanding California Pomegranates

Exploring the Pomegranate’s Hidden Treasures: A Deep Dive into Its Anatomy

Pomegranates have a hard outer shell with many arils inside. These arils contain both the seed and the juice, and it’s this juicy part that is most commonly used in cooking and juice production​​.

Versatility in the Kitchen

Pomegranates are incredibly versatile. They can be used whole, juiced, or turned into molasses. Pomegranates can be used many ways, from adding a fresh twist to tacos, enhancing co*cktails, or as a key ingredient in delicious desserts​​.

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We’d love to hear how you use pomegranate molasses in your kitchen. Share your favorite recipes and ideas with us by snapping a picture and tagging us on social media using #CAGROWN. For more inspiration, follow us on Pinterest for a treasure trove of California-grown recipes!

Craving more CA Grown goodness? Follow us on Pinterest for fresh and fabulous recipe inspiration!

Pomegranate Molasses

James Collier

Pomegranate molasses, is a thick, syrupy reduction made from pomegranate juice. It is a versatile ingredient that adds a unique sweet and tangy flavor to all types of dishes.

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 3 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Course co*cktails, Dessert, Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 0.5 cups

Calories 929 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pomegranate juice
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

  • In a large, wide, uncovered saucepan, heat pomegranate juice, sugar, and lemon juice on medium-high until the sugar has dissolved and the juice simmers.

    Reduce heat just enough to maintain a simmer.

  • Simmer for about an hour, or until the juice has a syrupy consistency, and has reduced to 1/2 cup.

    If you want your pomegranate molasses to be sweeter, add more sugar to taste, while you are cooking it.

  • Pour out into a jar. Let cool. Store chilled in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 929kcalCarbohydrates: 232gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 91mgPotassium: 2164mgFiber: 1gSugar: 226gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 112mgIron: 1mg

Keyword pomegranate, pomegranate juice, pomegranate molasses

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Pomegranate Molasses Roasted Duck

With every bite of Vy Tran of Beyond Sweet & Savory’s pomegranate-glazed roasted duck, you get succulent, tender, and flavorful meat that will make you want to reach for more.

A Recipe For Pomegranate Molasses And What to Make with It - California Grown (2024)

FAQs

What can I use pomegranate molasses for? ›

7 Ways to Use Pomegranate Molasses
  1. Salad dressings. I love to add pomegranate molasses to salads for a lovely tart sweetness. ...
  2. As a marinade. I love pomegranate molasses as a marinade for chicken, and you can also use it with fish, beef, duck or as a glaze for pork.
  3. To flavour grains. ...
  4. Dips. ...
  5. Roasted vegetables. ...
  6. Desserts. ...
  7. Drink.
Jul 7, 2020

How long does homemade pomegranate molasses last? ›

Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium to maintain a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until syrup has reduced by two thirds, to just under 1 cup, 45 to 55 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool, then transfer to a lidded jar. Molasses can be stored in the fridge for up to two months.

Is pomegranate molasses good for you? ›

Pomegranate molasses is a rich source of B vitamins, as well as vitamin C and a variety of polyphenolic antioxidants. This is in addition to a low level of sugars, calcium, iron, no dietary fiber, and no fats or cholesterol. There are also approximately 40 calories in a 1 tablespoon serving of this molasses.

What country does pomegranate molasses come from? ›

different local varieties are found in different Middle Eastern countries. Ahmar, aswad, and halwa varieties are important in Iraq; mangulati is found in Saudi arabia; and malissi and ras el baghl are favoured in Lebanon and Syria (Morton, 1987). They vary in acidity with some varieties being much sweeter than others.

Should you refrigerate pomegranate molasses? ›

Opened bottles can be refrigerated for long periods, but it's not likely to sit around for long. You don't need to love Middle Eastern food to love what pomegranate molasses can do for the foods you already love.

Is pomegranate molasses good for kidney? ›

Collectively, our data suggest that red, white peels, and molasses have anti-toxic and anti-inflammatory effects on renal function and tissues.

Does pomegranate molasses tenderize meat? ›

The pomegranate molasses is both sweet and sour, and the acid in it will tenderize the meat. When ready to cook, take the meat out of the fridge, and season it with salt and black pepper.

Do you put molasses in the fridge after opening? ›

Molasses is best kept at room temperature between 10°C to 21°C (50 – 70°F). The shelf life of molasses is generally 18 months when kept below 21°C and under reasonably steady conditions of temperature and humidity. Refrigeration or freezing may crystallize the natural sugars and therefore is not recommended.

Does homemade molasses go bad? ›

There's no cut-and-dry answer to the question of whether molasses goes bad. If you store it in a cool, dark place, it could last for years without obvious signs of spoilage (like mold or an off scent). If the molasses was exposed to moisture or air, the chances of it spoiling sooner go up.

Can diabetics eat pomegranate molasses? ›

Similarly, homemade pomegranate molasses samples exhibited higher anti-diabetic activity using α-amylase and α- glucosidase inhibitory assays, noting that homemade samples were very close in activity to the reference standard acarbose; only 1.5 to 5 times (∼2.8 times) less potent than acarbose in activity against α- ...

What is another name for pomegranate molasses? ›

Pomegranate molasses is an important ingredient in Middle Eastern cooking. The Arabic name (dibs rumaan or rub rumaan) and the Farsi name (rob-e-anar) mean "thickened pomegranate juice." The Turkish name "sour pomegranate" (nar ekşisi) best fits what pomegranate molasses is.

Is pomegranate molasses inflammatory? ›

These bioactive compounds were shown to have antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities as well as anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, anti-diarrheal and neuro-protective properties. These pomegranate products are nowadays considered superfood and commonly used in many recipes in international cuisines.

What country eats the most pomegranate? ›

Global Pomegranate Market Regional Insights

In terms of revenue, Asia Pacific dominates the global market and is anticipated to keep doing so over the coming years. Pomegranate consumption is traditionally the highest in Asia, and growing nations like India, Iran, China, etc.

Which country has the best pomegranate in the world? ›

Afghanistan can be considered the country of the pomegranate fruit because of the excellent quality of the cultivars that thrive there.

What state produces the most pomegranate? ›

California produces more than 90 percent of the pomegranates within the United States.

What do Middle Easterns use pomegranate molasses for? ›

Marinate meat and fish with it, jazz up salad dressings, caramelise veggies, drizzle on top of sorbet, stir into iced, fizzy water – it really is the Swiss Army knife of ingredients. The flavour profile of this dark, ruby red syrup adds a depth and fragrance to dishes that Middle Eastern food is so synonymous for.

What does pomegranate molasses taste like? ›

Pomegranate molasses is tart and tangy, with an underlying caramelized sweetness and almost musky depth. It's an ingredient that's totally unique. If you've sipped pomegranate juice or popped a handful of ruby pomegranate seeds into your mouth, then you're familiar with the fruit's sweet-tart pop of flavor.

How long does pomegranate molasses last in the fridge? ›

So, to use, pour it out of the jar or bottle rather than putting in a spoon, and always keep refrigerated. Stored in an airtight bottle or container, the molasses can be refrigerated for up to 1 year.

What is the difference between pomegranate molasses and regular molasses? ›

While its color is similar to molasses made of sugar cane or sugar beets, pomegranate molasses is not a sweetener but a condiment, and as such added to dishes in small amounts. Pomegranate molasses is an important ingredient in Middle Eastern cooking.

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