Pomegranates belong to the genus Lythraceae. The berry fruit grows on trees or bushes up to eight metres high. The name Punica comes from the Romans and Granatus means grainy or seed-rich. The home of the pomegranate lies in West to Central Asia and has already been cultivated in Persia in 2000 BC.
The tree needs cold winters and very hot summers, therefore the yields are best in the subtropics. Pomegranates contain important nutrients and remedies, are low in calories and provide a lot of protein, vitamins A, B and C and minerals.
Pomegranates are yellow-orange or dark red, the flesh can be pink to deep red. A distinction is usually made between the following fruit parts:
• Aril: It is the botanical name of the seed that is wrapped in a juice bag
• Membrane: It is the yellow coating of the pomegranate (arils). The membrane is bitter and not recommended for use.
• Albedo: Albedo is the white, fleshy substance directly under the skin of a pomegranate.
• Rind: It is the outer shell of a pomegranate and contains a high proportion of plant constituents.
We trade mainly the variety "Hicaz", which is cultivated in the mountainregions near Finike and Antalya. The characteristics of this variety are a round shape, a hard outer skin and soft seeds. The flesh has a bright dark red colour and an aromatic sweet-sour taste.
