Curiosities
What are the origins of the Sicilian pomegranate?
The origins of the pomegranate fruit are to be found in Asia Minor, more precisely in Persia and Afghanistan. The fruit arrived in Europe thanks to the maritime trade routes taken by the Phoenicians.
In ancient Greece, the pomegranate was considered a plant sacred to Hera, wife of Jupiter. According to mythology, the juice of this fruit was associated with the blood of Dionysus and it is said that Aphrodite, Goddess of love, planted it on earth in his honour. Find out more about the myths and legends in which the pomegranate features by reading the our article.
In Italy, pomegranate cultivations are mainly located in southern Italy where the plant has found the ideal climate for growing. In Sicily, the areas chosen for the cultivation of the fruit include: Agrigento, Catania, Ragusa and Trapani.
Among the most widespread varieties in Sicily is the Wonderful pomegranate also cultivated by Azienda Agricola Camagna from which we take the fruit to create our pomegranate liqueur.
Pomegranate or pomegranate?
The origins of its name are to be found in history. In ancient times, the fruit was called the apple of Carthage, which in turn was called 'punica'. Hence the scientific name of the pomegranate used today: punica granatum.
The words pomegranate and pomegranate are used in common parlance as synonyms for the same fruit.
Actually, when we talk about pomegranates, we are referring to the pomegranate plant, the correct name for its fruit.
What does the pomegranate plant look like?
The Sicilian pomegranate can take the form of a tree or shrub depending on the climatic conditions in which it grows. The plant typically measures a height of 5 metres, but in the wild it can even exceed 7 metres. Conversely, in extreme conditions, it can appear as a shrub.
Depending on its age, the pomegranate has different characteristics.
In its first year of life, the pomegranate has numerous slender, quadrangular branches, sometimes with thorns. Depending on the variety, the bark is either pink to purple in colour or can be light green pigment with pink-purple spots or stripes.
The leaves have a reddish colour that tends more and more towards green as the plant matures.
In the second year, as it matures, the pink colour gradually disappears, becoming light grey. The grey of the bark darkens as the tree grows. As the tree ages, the bark tends to split or detach from the trunk, leaving room for light yellow wood.
Flowering occurs one month after budding. In the northern hemisphere it occurs in April and May. The quantity of flowers differs depending on where they develop on the branch. Along the branch, solitary flowers usually develop, and as one approaches the end of the branch the flowers increasingly occur in pairs until they develop in small groups at the end of the branch.
In bud form, the flowers are green in colour and have a pear-like shape. As they ripen, the green gives way to an orange-red colour that will also be the typical colour of the flower petals. Pomegranate flowers can also have a pink or white colouring, although the latter is very rare.
What are the parts of the pomegranate called?
Always distinguishing the pomegranate, the plant, from the pomegranate, the fruit; the parts that make up the latter are:
- Exocarp: typically red, but also yellow or orange depending on the variety of pomegranate (link to section on varieties)
- Mesocarp: together with the edicarp makes up the pericarp, one of the two components that together with the endocarp make up the skin of the fruit
- Endocarp: part of the fruit surrounding the arils, it has a light yellow almost white colour and a bitter taste
- Calyx: terminal part of the fruit
- Arils: a juicy, typically red layer that surrounds the seeds. The size of the arils and the hardness or softness of the seeds varies depending on the variety.
How do you open a pomegranate?
3 simple moves to open the pomegranate:
- make a circular cut near the calyx of the fruit
- cut the fruit into segments from the calyx downwards following the white membranes
- lift the central part
Once the fruit has been opened, its seeds can be extracted.
2 techniques for extracting pomegranate arils:
- pull them out with your fingers
- beat the peel repeatedly with a spoon
How do you say pomegranate in Sicilian?
If you go to Sicily you will hear about Ranato, a dialect term used to refer to the pomegranate.
How many varieties of Sicilian pomegranate exist?
The most common varieties of pomegranate on Sicilian soil are:
- Wonderful: variety characterised by deep red fruit weighing more than 4 kg with a rounded shape and elongated crown. The arils, contained within the rind, are distinguished by their sweet-sour flavour.
- This variety is rich in juice, which is why we selected it for the creation of our Sicilian Pomegranate Liqueur and our Pomegranate Juice;
- Horsetail: this variety has a harder seed than the others, so it is the least consumed;
- Etna: variety with a very sweet taste. Fruits of this variety are rich in anthocyanins, which establish their bright colour;
- Primosole: this variety is also rich in anthocyanins, which give it high antioxidant properties;
- Valenciana: variety originating in Spain. The fruit is a deep red colour externally, while internally it has a light pink colour. Its weight is around 250 and 350 grams;
- Acco or Ako: native to Israel. The Ako pomegranate is divided into two types: shrubby or bushy. A very hardy variety: it can adapt to the roughest soils such as limestone but is vulnerable to cold and waterlogging. Unlike the other varieties analysed, the Acco pomegranate has an intense yellow colour;
- Hicaz: plant of Turkish origin with medium to large red fruits with orange and yellow tones. The arils are pinkish in colour and are medium juicy.
Benefits
What are the benefits of pomegranate?
Among the prevailing nutrients in pomegranate is vitamin C, known for its contribution to boosting the immune system. In addition, the p53 protein contained in the fruit helps the body in the prevention of cancers, first and foremost stomach cancer.
Following a scientific research published in 2014, it was found that ellagic acid limits the growth of cancer cells, which is why it is used for both preventive and therapeutic purposes.
Ellagic acid, also present in pistachios, also helps reduce the symptoms of chronic metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
Pomegranate is also rich in water, fibre, minerals, fructose and antioxidants. The prevailing minerals in the fruit are potassium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium and iron. Due to the presence of fibre, pomegranate helps the body to regulate fat absorption while contributing to an improved sense of fullness.
The most well-known nutritional properties of the fruit are:
- antioxidant properties: thanks to the presence of polyphenols, counteracts free radicals by fighting cellular ageing and abnormal cell vascularisation. In addition, polyphenols help regulate the absorption and storage of cholesterol in the blood.
- anti-diarrhoeal and astringent properties: contained in the rind and juice of the fruit.
- vermifuge properties: pomegranate can be used to combat the parasite tenia solium, better known as tapeworm.
Learn more about the benefits of pomegranate by reading our article properties and benefits of pomegranate juice.
Who should not eat pomegranate?
Regarding the intake of pomegranate, there are no particular contraindications but it is not recommended for those suffering from:
- obesity
- stomach acidity or reflux problems
- chronic constipation
How much pomegranate can you eat per day?
Due to the high amount of vitamin C contained in the fruit, it is advisable to eat one fruit per day.
Employment
In which recipes can pomegranate be used?
Pomegranate arils are protagonists in many recipes, both sweet and savoury.
Pomegranate is an excellent ingredient for creating first and second courses, risottos, juices, jams and salads.
In our article tasty recipes with pomegranate you will find many ideas for using the fruit of the gods in your next dishes.
Since meeting Paesano, pomegranate has become a liqueur with an intense and overwhelming flavour. Our pomegranate liqueur is ideal to drink iced at the end of meals or to use as a base for the Paesano spritz.
