Did you ever wonder how to say pomegranate in Italian?
Just check out the Italian vocabulary lesson below to find out the answer. There is a masculine and a feminine version of the word.
And in this video I am enjoying some fresh-squeezed pomegranate juice. These are called “spremute” (plural) in Italian. Being that there is so much fresh produce that is grown in Palermo, it is common to see fresh-squeezed juices being sold by street vendors all throughout the city.
You can find fresh-squeezed juices in Palermo for fruits such as oranges, lemons, pears and pomegranates.
Italian Vocabulary Lesson
Melagrana: Pomegranate (the fruit) – the feminine noun refers to the fruit.
Melograno: Pomegranate tree – the masculine noun refers to the tree.
This is similar for the pear fruit in Italian.
Pera – the feminine noun refers to a pear.
Pero – the masculine noun refers to a pear tree.
arancia – the feminine noun refers to the fruit.
arancio – the masculine noun refers to the tree.
Spremuta – Fresh-squeezed juice, usually orange, pomegranate or pear.
But even the Italians will mix it up and refer to both the tree and the fruit as a melograno. Or even a meglograna.
Interestingly enough, these vendors in the video are not speaking Italian. There are many immigrants in Sicily that come from Northern African countries such as Tunisia, Morocco and Ghana to start a new life in Italy.
The Word Pomegranate Derivation
The word pomegranate in English is derived from the French word grenade, which of course in English is a grenade which is used as an explosive. In French they will say pomme de grenade referring to the pomegranate juice.
The Spanish use the word grenada.
And of course, if you were to look at a pomegranate from the outside it does appear to have the shape of a grenade.
The Health Benefits of Pomegranate Juice
The benefits of pomegranate juice are many which include high antioxidant nutrients which can help reduce blood pressure, improve cognitive function, boost immunological responses, etc. It is also very anti-inflammatory and can reduce inflammation within the body.
In the video I get to enjoy some delicious pomegranate juice while I stroll through the heart of Palermo’s historical center, the Quattro Canti. If you find yourself in Palermo you should enjoy a nice “spremuta”, or fresh-squeezed juice full of antioxidants to fuel up your day!
White Variety of Pomegranate
Did you know in Sicily I saw a white variety of pomegranate? It was white on the outside but the seeds were the same color. It is very strange and if I see it again, I will post a picture.
And that concludes our lesson on how to say pomegranate in Italian!
You may be interested in my Palermo, Italy YouTube Playlist.
