A city named after a fruit We’ve watched Easter come and go yet holidays abroad in 2021 continue to hang in the balance for now. So this issue, let’s travel together from the comfort of your sofa, armchair, or [insert other glamorous location here] to the majestic city of Granada, located in the region of Andalucia in southwest Spain, and the history behind its name. The story behind the city’s name has two possible theories. Some say it derives from its Moorish name, Karnattah (Gharnatah), possibly meaning ‘hill of strangers’. The other theory is that Granada actually takes its name from a fruit. ‘Granada’ in Spanish actually translates to ‘pomegranate’ in English and it is, in fact, the city’s emblem and appears on the coat of arms.
But when it’s time to crack it open, the versatility of the fruit is unrivalled. In Spanish, and international, cuisine pomegranate seeds can be used to liven up salads, stews, juices and desserts. Let me reassure you though that there is so much more to Granada than its fruity name. The city oozes culture, from its Moorish roots, evident in the stunning architecture, to the fiery flamenco scene. It’s also famous for its atmospheric bars which serve up free tapas with your drinks. Granada is very much a Spanish city yet you can’t help but feel you are in an entirely unique and special corner of the world.
Native to Persia, this now fashionable fruit, with its high levels of antioxidants and vitamins B, C & E, is naturally suited to cool winters and hot summers but can thrive pretty much anywhere from Spain to China. Scientists have found eating pomegranate can fight against the hardening of the arteries and diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. In Eastern healing practices, the skin and leaves are used to cure a range of illnesses. Throughout Spain, you can find a variety of fruits trees on farmland, such as red and yellow plums, apricot, red and yellow peaches and figs. However, in winter, fresh fruits can be very scarce. So apart from the fruits and nuts that are dried during August and September, it’s necessary to prepare for the colder months and the pomegranate is the perfect solution.
15
