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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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

Do 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.

How long can you keep homemade pomegranate molasses? ›

Pomegranate molasses can be stored in a cool dark place and consumed within 12 months of opening.

What do Middle Easterns use pomegranate molasses for? ›

Another Middle Eastern staple, pomegranate molasses is condensed pomegranate juice that has been boiled down to a thick, syrup-y consistency. Despite the name, there is no actual molasses in it! It is usually used in savory sauces, marinades, and salad dressings, but you can also use it as a drizzle to balance sweets!

Is pomegranate molasses healthy or not? ›

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.

Can pomegranate molasses go bad? ›

Unopened pomegranate molasses typically has a shelf life of up to 12 months. To determine how long the product can be used after opening, consumers should refer to the best by date if available. While it might be safe to consume the molasses after this date, the quality may not be optimal.

Is Grenadine the same as pomegranate molasses? ›

Real grenadine is not “pomegranate syrup”, but it is made with pomegranates. Pomegranate syrup is only pomegranate juice and sugar. Grenadine has the addition of pomegranate molasses and orange blossom water (or Rose Water). This gives the syrup a deep, fruity flavor.

Is pomegranate molasses sweet or sour? ›

Rimouski, QC-born Stéphanie Audet, chef and owner of Senhor Uva in Lisbon, Portugal, explains that pomegranate molasses is made up of simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. The end result has a deep red colour with a sweet-sour taste.

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") is a ...

Where should I store pomegranate molasses? ›

It will thicken slightly as it cools, almost to maple syrup consistency. Transfer the molasses to a glass bottle with a tightfitting lid and refrigerate until needed.

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

Pomegranate Syrup. Pomegranate molasses and pomegranate syrup are two different names for the same thing and are used interchangeably. Calling it pomegranate syrup is just as misleading as pomegranate molasses because it is not sweet like syrup, which has a higher sugar content.

What happens when molasses goes bad? ›

If it seems to have separated or has an unpleasant odor, it's also time to purchase a new bottle. At times molasses can crystallize, which also indicates that it turned. Give your molasses a little taste test before you use it again after a long period of storage; if it tastes and looks fine, it's probably still good.

What country does pomegranate molasses come from? ›

Pomegranate molasses (also known as pomegranate syrup) is made throughout the Middle East in countries like Iran, Syria, and Lebanon.

Is pomegranate molasses good for liver? ›

Conclusion: Molasses, White peel and Red peel Pomegranate have a strong antioxidant for protective liver tissue.

Why is it called pomegranate molasses? ›

Pomegranate molasses is simply pomegranate juice that's been boiled down and reduced to a thick, dark brown, molasses-like syrup. It's a common ingredient in Middle Eastern cooking and can also sometimes be called pomegranate syrup. Despite it having “molasses” in its name, it's more sour than sweet.

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.

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.

Can I use pomegranate molasses instead of maple syrup? ›

Chef Palomo on the other hand cannot wait to start using the molasses as a vinaigrette over an heirloom tomato salad. You can also use it as a substitute. Try it on your favourite savory dishes where you would normally use a balsamic glaze. For your sweets and desserts, use it instead of a honey drizzle or maple syrup.

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