Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on November 4, 2006.

Native to Iran, the pomegranate was probably one of the first fruits to be domesticated, along with figs, olives and grapes. Thanks to its thick skin that results in a longer shelf life and to its juice that quenches thirst during long desert crossings, the pomegranate was considered to be a basic food for nomads and travellers from the earliest periods of history.

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Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on December 4, 2010.

Tasty and refreshing, pineapple is not exactly a fruit; it is more of an inflorescence, or a multitude of berries (the ‘eyes’ of the pineapple) that are formed after the fusion of flowers on the spikes.

The scientific name of the pineapple, ananas, originates from the Tupi-Guarani (an indigenous language in Brazil) word naná naná, meaning ‘fragrance of fragrances’ or ‘excellent fruit’. In fact, the selection of pineapples should be based on its fragrance: it should be full and fruity, but not too strong smelling, as this signifies the onset of fermentation.

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Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on October 4, 2008.

The medicinal properties of apples have long been recognized, so much so that according to a popular British saying, «an apple a day keeps the doctor away». As a matter of fact, researchers have managed to prove that the virtues of apple are vaster than was earlier believed.

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Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on May 23, 2010.

Avocado: the fruit of a tree that is native to Central and South America. It is much appreciated for its tender buttery flesh, and it can be prepared in innumerable ways. Some people are wary of this fruit as it contains high levels of fat. However, these are primarily monounsaturated fats, which are considered to be ‘good’ fats for cardiovascular health.

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This is the question asked by one of our members who is concerned about the presence of pesticides in fruits and vegetables. My reply below is taken from the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides (PDF), published by the American organization Environmental Working Group, which has prepared this guide based on chemical tests carried out by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

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Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on September 11, 2010.

Peaches have been cultivated for over 5,000 years in China, where they are considered a symbol of immortality; in fact, this country is still the world’s largest producer of peaches today. These fruits first traveled from China to India and Persia (present-day Iran), and from here, the armies of Alexander the Great introduced them to Europe. That is why the Romans named them apples of Persia or ‘Prunus Persica’, which explains where the word peach comes from.

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Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on August 28, 2010.

The hot summer days are becoming numbered and vacations are drawing to an end. One way of letting the summer mood linger, is to consume autumn strawberries and raspberries. Late varieties of these tiny delights are now ‘reddening’ the fields right up to the first severe autumn frost, sometime in mid-October.

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