Pomegranate - Punica granatum L.
Taxonomy,
cultivars.
The pomegranate belongs to the Punicaceae,
not closely related to the Rosaceous pome fruits despite having the same
fruit type. The most popular cultivar is 'Wonderful' as it is large-fruited
and fruits are well-colored. It is not so "wonderful" in Georgia, generally
being killed to the ground in most winters; better selections are becoming
available.
Origin,
history of cultivation.
The pomegranate is native to the area
between Iran and northern India, and has been cultivated since ancient
times throughout the Mediterranean basin to India, where it is still cultivated
today in largest quantity. The plant was used in many ways, including juice,
dyes, inks, tannins for leather (bark) and a variety of remedies for various
ailments.
Folklore,
medicinal and non-food uses.
Because of its long history of cultivation,
folklore and non-food uses of the pomegranate are many. It is popular in
Egyptian mythology, the bible, and other ancient writings. It was a symbol
of fertility in many ancient cultures. The bright red juice was often used
as an ink in ancient times. The fruit has a fairly long shelf-life at room
temperature, and hence was carried on long journies through desert climates
as a source of water and nourishment. Today, pomegranates make nice ornaments
for fruit bowls or Christmas wreaths, as the fruit are marketed around
the holiday season.
Production
statistics
A. World. none available.
B. USA
California produces about 17,000 MT annually
on about 3000 acres, for a value of $4.9 million (13 cents/lb).
Botanical
description
A. Plant: A small tree or large
shrub (to 12-18 ft), with a branching, suckering habit. Leaves relatively
small, slender oblong, almost sessile.
B. Flowers: Large (> 1 inch), red
(sometimes white), funnel-form flowers are borne terminally on clusters
of 1-5.
C. Pollination: Pollination is by
insects or hummingbirds; cross pollination generally improves fruit set.
D. Fruit: Irregularly rounded pome
with bright red, leathery rind and a prominent calyx. The rind 
encloses
membranous, white tissue (endocarp) which in turn encloses the arilate
seeds. The juice is contained in the arils. Fruits mature in 6-7 months.
General
Culture
A. Soils and Climate:
Soil - Pomegranates are fairly drought
tolerant and can be grown on either calcareous or acid soils.
Climate - Grow best in dry climates with
mild winters.
B. Propagation: Rooted cuttings or
seedlings; sometimes as layers or suckers.
C. Rootstocks: not used.
D. Orchard design, pruning, training:
Contribution
to diet, food uses
Pomegranates are most often used in cooking
or juiced, as they are difficult to prepare for eating. You can roll the
fruit on a hard surface with moderate hand pressure to break the arils
inside the fruit, then cut a hole and suck out the juice. In salads, pomegranate
seeds are used with aril and seed intact, since it is hard to remove the
aril. Grenadine syrup is often used in mixed drinks (like the tequila sunrise)
to add a sweet flavor and a dark red color. Disappointingly, pomegranate
juice is not even used in commercial grenadine syrup anymore, being replaced
by the infamous corn sweetener and FD&C red dye 40! Elizabeth Schneider
suggests that homemade grenadine can be made with 2 cups of seeds/arils
and 2 cups of sugar, boiling to reduce and straining out seeds. I received
an e-mail in 1999 stating that real pomegranate juice can be found in middle-eastern
specialty grocery stores.
Dietary value, per 100 gram
edible portion:
Water (%) ..........................................
79
Calories .............................................
70
Protein (%) ..........................................
1.1
Fat (%) ................................................
0.9
Carbohydrates (%) ..............................
18
Crude Fiber (%) ....................................
? (low)
Vitamin A ...........................................
---
Thiamin, B1 .......................................
0.2
Riboflavin, B2 .....................................
1.2
Niacin ...............................................
1.4
Vitamic C ..........................................
8.9
Calcium ............................................
1.0
Phosphorus .......................................
2.8
Iron ...................................................
8.0
Sodium ..............................................
---
Potassium .........................................
5.5
* Percent of recommended
daily allowance set by FDA, assuming a 154 lb male adult, 2700 calories
per day.
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