Pomegranate
What is it?
The pomegranate is a round, leathery-skinned fruit with a mild, fruity aroma and tart sweetness. It has a slightly astringent taste from its edible arils which are juicy, ruby-red sacs encasing crunchy white seeds.
What other names does it have?
Botanical Name: Punica granatum L.
Regional Names: Anar (Hindi), Dadim (Sanskrit), Madulam (Tamil), Dalimb (Marathi)
When is it in season?
What is its history/ cultural significance?
The pomegranate is believed to have originated in the Iranian Plateau–Central Asia around 3000–2500 BCE and entered the Indian subcontinent via the Silk Route networks by the 1st century CE . Its cultural prominence peaked under the Mughals: Babur introduced the prized Kandahari Anar, recording his preference in the Baburnama (c.1530), while Akbar and Jahangir incorporated the fruit into imperial cuisine and horticulture as a symbol of fertility and abundance.
In Bengali folklore, the widely anthologised Dalim Kumar tale features a prince’s life-force hidden in a pomegranate seed that, when crushed, sprouts into a golden tree of resurrection. It is a motif that continues to inform wedding rituals across eastern India.
Colonial demand sustained Afghan imports until the Partition in 1947 disrupted supply. Trade resumed after the Afghanistan–Pakistan Transit Agreement in 2010. Today, India is the world’s largest producer of pomegranates while simultaneously supporting Kandahar’s orchards through USAID-funded conversion of poppy fields. The fruit thus links ancient symbolism with contemporary agricultural diplomacy. (Source)
How can you use it?
Slice off the top of the pomegranate and make shallow cuts down the sides so you can easily break it open. Place the pieces in a bowl of water and push the red seeds out with your fingers. The bitter white skin will float to the top while the tasty seeds sink to the bottom. Finally, drain the water and eat the seeds as a snack or sprinkle them over your food as garnish.
What states can I find it in?
What parts of the plant are edible?
Arils (juice sacs and seeds), seeds
Is it nutritious?
Pomegranates are nutrient-dense, with the arils offering vitamin C, carbohydrates, fibre, and protein. They are also a good source of potassium and folate.
How do you store it?
Keep whole fruits at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or refrigerate them for 1–2 months to preserve juiciness. The arils can be stored in airtight containers for 5–7 days; chilled or freezed for 6 months.
Stories
The perilous journey of a famed pomegranate from Kandahar to India by Shweta Desai, The Scroll
This article explores the Kandahar pomegranate as a historical and cultural object, tracing its journey from perilous caravan routes across the Khyber range to Mughal orchards and the Kabuliwala’s baskets of colonial Calcutta.
The Pomegranate Prince: A Folk Tale of Bengal, The Atlantic
A popular folk tale that shares a Bengali legend where a hidden seed revives royalty, symbolising motifs of fertility.
Recipes
Pomegranate Sorbet by Sam, Buttermilk
‘Know Your Desi Ingredients’ is an ever-expanding repository of knowledge for ingredients that are native to the Indian subcontinent and adapted into the mainstream culinary narratives of people, places, and cultures across India. If you would like to share more information about the write-ups featured here, send us an email at connect@thelocavore.in with your inputs and any verified sources we should look into.
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