Pomegranates of Istanbul

I’m here in Istanbul Turkey.  From the hustle and bustle of Istanbul to the amazing caves of Cappadocia to the white calcium cascade terraces of Pamukkale, Turkey is indeed, a very diverse country.   

There are many things to see and do in Istanbul, some of which are visiting the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia.  The Basilica cistern is very interesting as are the many museums.  It’s a bustling city and it’s often hard to move in the traffic.  I’m amazed by my drivers’ ability to negotiate not only the traffic but some of the steepest roads I’ve seen. 
 When negotiating the roads of Istanbul, it’s not uncommon to see shops selling pomegranate juice, often with a juicer out the front.  In fact, pomegranate juice is very popular in Turkey, and it’s often mixed with orange juice.  Pomegranates are a special fruit, not only do they look spectacular when cut in half, they are packed full of antioxidants and contain a variety of phytochemicals that can act in the human body in both a therapeutic and preventative way.  In the Old Testament of the Bible, it mentions that pomegranates were used as decorations on the hems of Priestly garments  They are also believed to represent fertility and abundance.  A special fruit indeed!

 Vucic, V; Grabez, M; Trchounian, A; Arsic, A (2019) Composition and potential health benefits of pomegranate: A Review Current Pharamacetical Design. Volume 26(16) 1817-1827.

The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV) Copyright 2017 by Christian Art Publishers.
Book of Exodus. 28, 33f; 39, 24-26