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.

A Recipe For Pomegranate Molasses And What to Make with It - California Grown (2)

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 (4)
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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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A Recipe For Pomegranate Molasses And What to Make with It - California Grown (9)

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? ›

The possibilities are endless with pomegranate molasses. Use it as a glaze for meats, in salad dressings, in marinades, or drizzled over vegetables. You can even use it to make Persian-style Stuffed Fish! On the sweet side, add a little to fruit salad, stir into yogurts or spooned over a piece of lemon cheesecake.

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? ›

Immune System Benefits

Pomegranate molasses contains antioxidants, mainly vitamin C, that are beneficial to your immune system.

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.

What is the best use for molasses? ›

It is far less sweet than syrup or honey and the darker the molasses, the less sugar it contains. Molasses has a slightly bitter flavour that is favoured in traditional North American recipes such as Boston baked beans and it also goes into the making of rich fruit cakes, gingerbread and treacle toffee.

How to tell if pomegranate molasses is bad? ›

Pomegranate molasses is prone to spoilage under improper storage conditions. Signs that the product has gone bad include the presence of mold, an unpleasant odor, or being discolored. Should any of these indications be present, it is important for safety reasons to discard the molasses.

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.

Does molasses go bad? ›

Since the flavor of molasses degrades over time, either in an opened or unopened jar, you should pay attention to the "best by" date stamped on the jar for a freshness timeframe. While it may still be perfectly safe for consumption, after too much time it won't give you the high-quality results your recipe deserves.

What does molasses do to the human body? ›

The bottom line

Blackstrap molasses is a nutritious byproduct of sugarcane production. Unlike refined sugar, it's naturally rich in antioxidants, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin B6. As such, it may relieve constipation, help treat anemia, and support bone and hair health.

Does molasses heal the gut? ›

The carbohydrates in blackstrap molasses act as an energy source, while dietary fiber may be good for digestion and supports gut health.

Does molasses cleanse the body? ›

Contains Cholesterol-Lowing Potassium

Blackstrap molasses is a good source of potassium. Potassium-rich foods help lower systolic blood pressure, reduce cholesterol and support a healthy cardiovascular system, in addition to helping cleanse your liver.

How to use pomegranate molasses? ›

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

What country eats the most pomegranate? ›

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. are producing an increasing amount of the fruit.

What is another name for pomegranate molasses? ›

Pomegranate molasses, also known as Dibs Ar-rumman (Arabic: دِبْس الرُّمَّان), rakkaz rimonim (Hebrew: רכז רימונים), robb-e anâr (Persian: رب انار), melása rodioú (Greek: μελάσα ροδιού, "pomegranate syrup"), nar ekshisi (Turkish: nar ekşisi, "pomegranate sour"), and narsharab (Azerbaijani: narşərab, "pomegranate wine") ...

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.

What should pomegranate molasses taste like? ›

Pomegranate molasses is syrupy and rich, but even versions with added sugar are not very sweet. Instead it's tangy and a little musky with a depth of flavor that I usually associate with wine or concentrated meat drippings. This makes it invaluable anywhere you want to add a little depth or complexity.

Is pomegranate molasses the same as balsamic vinegar? ›

Pomegranate Molasses Dressing tastes like a more exotic and thicker version of Balsamic vinaigrette! Hailing from the Middle East, it's made with pomegranate molasses which is like balsamic syrup – thick, syrupy, sweet and tangy.

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