Table of Contents
Where does the pomegranate come from?
THE pomegranate, one of the world’s most ancient fruits, has had a long and fascinating history. Although it probably originated in Persia, cultivation spread quickly throughout the Mediterranean and extended to Arabia, Afghanistan, India and China, where it was called the “Chinese apple,” the alternate appellation.
Do pomegranates grow in China?
Although the pomegranate adopts itself to a variety of climatic conditions and pomegranate can be found in many parts of China , the major orchards in China are in the provinces of Sichuan, Chongqing, Shandong, Shaanxi and Henan.
Do seedless pomegranates exist?
The seedless pomegranate is a large fruit with a thin, bright red peel. The seeds of the so-called ‘seedless pomegranate’ are surprisingly soft and can be eaten. The seedless pomegranate has a history of more than 2,000 years. Production areas in Sichuan recently brought their seedless pomegranates to the market.
Where does the United States get its pomegranates from?
Chile was the main supplier to the United States market, which has a limited supply from Southern California. China was self-sufficient for its pomegranate supply in 2019, while other South Asia markets were supplied mainly by India.
Can a pomegranate tree grow from a seed?
If you’ve ever eaten a pomegranate, you know that the center contains hundreds of crunchy seeds, each in its own fleshy covering. The trees propagate readily from seeds, but there is no guarantee that the new trees will resemble the mother tree.
What happens to pomegranates after they are picked?
Pomegranates do not ripen after they’re picked and yet bruise relatively easily when ripe. This means a lot of commercial pomegranates are picked a bit under-ripe. You are much more likely to find truly ripe, fresh pomegranates at farmers’ markets, co-ops that get deliveries directly from farmers, and farm stands.
What is the edible part of a pomegranate?
The edible part of pomegranate is its arils (flesh-covered seeds). Separating the 800 arils that average in each pomegranate from the peel and internal white membrane is a bit of a task, but not a complicated one. Each pomegranate yields about 3/4 cup of arils or 1/2 juice.