Make a Mulled Pomegranate and Grape Juice
Description
This recipe is a take on a mulled wine but instead of the booze, we will use fresh juice using pomegranate and grapes.
As the cold air outside signals winter’s arrival, let this mulled juice be your comforting companion, filling your home with the inviting fragrance of cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and cardamom.
Serve this spiced pomegranate and grape mulled juice hot as a delightful treat on chilly evenings, or keep it in the fridge for a sweet spiced juice during the day.
Ingredients
Juicing Time: 10 mins
Juice Qty: 600ml
Serves: 2
2 pomegranates
2 cups grapes
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
10 cloves
3 cardamon pods, crushed
1 orange cut into 3 thick slices
1 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 cup water
Preparation
Pomegranate
Cut into two halves
Squeeze halves upside down over a large bowl to loosen the seeds
Tap the back of the shell with a spoon, while holding it upside down to get all seeds out
Juice seeds one spoonful at a time
Some white pith is okay, too much and it is bitter in the juice
Grapes
Remove the hard woody stems (smaller stems attached to the grapes are okay to go through the juicer)
Juice grapes in handfuls with skin on
Method
Start with making the pomegranate and grape juice.
Add the grape to the juicer in handfuls at a time.
Then juice the pomegranate seeds. Use a spoon to feed the juicer. Go slow letting the juicer press each spoonful before adding more.
Once the juice is made it is time to warm the juice on the stove with the remaining ingredients.
AUTO10 Layering: grapes, pomegranate
Warming method on the stove:
In a large pot over medium heat, add the cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, crushed cardamom pods, and orange slices.
Drizzle in the maple syrup, allowing its golden sweetness to mingle with the fruity abundance.
Pour in the water, ensuring that each ingredient is bathed.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavours to meld and mingle, dancing together in a fragrant symphony.
Let the mulled juice simmer for 5-10 minutes, infusing your kitchen with its tantalizing aroma.
Once the juice is imbued with the essence of the spices and fruits, remove it from the heat and strain it through a fine-mesh sieve, capturing all the luscious liquid.
Pour the mulled juice into heatproof glasses or mugs, savouring each sip as it warms you from the inside out.
Video
Health Benefits
Grapes
Grapes, with their juicy sweetness and vibrant colors, have been cherished for centuries not only for their delightful taste but also for their remarkable health benefits.
The darker variety of grapes is by far the most nutritious and if you can find them with seeds, even better because the seeds get crushed in the juicer extracting even more nutrition.
Cardiovascular / Circulatory System: Grapes have the ability to help prevent blood clots due to their ability to increase nitric oxide levels in the blood and therefore provide excellent protection for the heart and cardiovascular system. Grapes can benefit blood sugar by providing better insulin regulation and overall blood sugar balance.
Nervous System: Grapes are malic acid-rich fruits that bind to aluminum, which is implicated in memory loss and dementia. They can help with alcohol addiction. Since this fruit contains the purest form of alcohol, grape juice is an ideal yet healthy substitute.
Respiratory System: Grapes are rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C, flavonoids, and resveratrol. These antioxidants help reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract and protect the lungs from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. The antioxidants and other compounds in grapes have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the airways and improve respiratory function, especially in conditions like asthma.
Grapes contain polyphenols, which have been shown to have protective effects on the respiratory system. Polyphenols may help reduce the risk of respiratory infections and improve lung function.
Pomegranate
Pomegranate is a great blood builder, as it strengthens both red and white cell counts.
Pomegranate is affectionately known as "The Jewel of Winter Fruits" because of its precious jewel like seeds. It is the perfect addition to your winter juice menu. They are an excellent weight loss food and benefit the body by boosting the immune system and improving circulation.
Pomegranate juice significantly reduces ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) activity, helping lower blood pressure, preventing heart disease and reducing the risk of stroke.
Pomegranates may help to dissolve gallstones and kidney stones, nodules, calcifications, and small cysts such as ganglia cysts. They also have anti-tumor properties.
Pomegranates are also the perfect “brain food” as they help to increase cognitive function and memory recall. Pomegranates are also great for joints and may help to prevent cartilage deterioration making them essential for the prevention of osteoarthritis.