What is pomegranate, is it citrus or not?
The oriental king of all fruits, the Carthaginian, the grainy and the Punic apple are all names for the pomegranate. The fiery red crown at the top of the fruit resembles a crown. According to one version, it was the pomegranate fruit that was the very apple of paradise described in the Bible. In this article we will talk about the origin of the plant, its appearance, useful properties and dangers.
The content of the article
What is pomegranate
What is a pomegranate, is it citrus or not, or maybe a berry or a fruit? Let's figure it out.
Pomegranate is usually called a fruit, however, according to the botanical classification, it is a berry... Hidden under the dense peel are many juicy grains with a stone inside, which is typical for berries.
The fruits grow on trees that resemble shrubs. Their height does not exceed 5-6 m, and the leaves are similar to lemon or tangerine. The fruits are in proportion to a medium grapefruit.
How the name came about
Pomegranate (Latin punica) is a short tree from the genus of shrubs, the Derbennikovye family. Previously, trees were considered monotypic and were placed in the Pomegranate family (Punicaceae).
The fruits are collectively called "pomegranates". In botany there is a special definition for them - "pomegranates".
Generic name punica comes from the Latin word punicus - that is, Punic or Carthaginian, due to its wide distribution in the territory of modern Tunisia.
The Russian name "pomegranate" was based on the Latin word granatus - literally "grainy". The ancient Romans called the plant malum punicum ("Punic apple") and malum granatum ("Grainy apple").
Interesting! The inhabitants of Ancient Greece believed that the first pomegranate tree was planted by the goddess of love Aphrodite. Until now, the Greeks have a tradition of breaking a pomegranate fruit at a wedding - a symbol of fertility.
Botanical description
Common pomegranate - fruiting, deciduous low-growing tree or shrub height 5-6 m. Vegetation period - 6-8 months. It begins to bear fruit three years after planting.
Branches are thorny, thin. Leaves are smooth, glossy, oval, 3 cm long, green.
Flowers are funnel-shaped, orange-red, with a diameter of 2.5 cm and more. They contain the natural dye punicin.
There are three types of pomegranate flowers:
- bisexual, pitcher-shaped, forming fruit ovaries;
- bell-shaped, not forming fruit ovaries;
- intermediate forms.
The calyx is leathery, with dense, triangle-shaped lobes. Petals and stamens are fixed in the mouth of the calyx. Column with thick lobed stigma.
Fruits are spherical in shape with a leathery pericarp and a calyx at the end. The peel is orange-yellow, red and brown-red, depending on the variety. The fruit diameter is 15-18 cm. Numerous seeds (grains) are concentrated in 6-12 nests or chambers located in two tiers. One fruit contains 1000-1200 pieces. Each seed is in a juicy edible shell. Harvest from one tree - about 50 kg.
The culture is light-loving, it requires a bright sun without shading, it does not bloom with a shortage of sunlight. Trees withstand frosts down to -15 ° С... Propagated by pomegranate seeds and cuttings.
A distinctive feature of the culture is the ability to form adventitious roots if the branches and trunk are covered with sand. The old rhizome gradually dies off.
History of the origin of culture
The genus Garnet arose in the late Cretaceous - early Tertiary periods. The historical homeland of pomegranate is the territory of modern Tunisia, or Carthage. This is confirmed by documents dated 4000 BC. e. In Carthage, founded by the Phoenicians on the Mediterranean coast in 825 BC. e., pomegranate trees grew.After the conquest of the city by the Romans, its fruits were called the Punic apple.
Some sources contain information that the pomegranate spread from the territory of Percy (modern Iran).
Homer in the "Odyssey" twice mentions the pomegranate and speaks of it as a fruit tree customary for those times in the gardens of Phrygia and Phenicia. Herodotus, in his historical reports, talks about the Persian attack on the Greeks and the personal protection of Xerxes called the grenade brigade. The soldiers proudly carried gold grenades on their spears as a sign of the highest honor.
Theophrastus describes the pomegranate in detail in The History of Plants. Culture is mentioned several times in the Old Testament. Pomegranate gardens were the pride of King Solomon and were sung in songs.
In Spain the pomegranate has become a symbol of Granada's golden age. Modern plantings are a vivid trace of the stay of the Moorish tribes here. Granada is known all over the world precisely because of the fame of perfect varieties of pomegranates, cultivated in favorable climatic conditions.
In Central, North and South America, Australia and the islands of the Pacific and Indian Ocean, the plant appeared in the XVI-XVII centuries.
In the countries of the former USSR pomegranate spread from Transcaucasia. The largest number of various wild-growing fruit trees is represented in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. During the excavations of the Khorezm castle Toprak-Kala (beginning of the IV century) under the leadership of S.P. Tolstov, archaeologists discovered an image of Anakhita - the goddess of fertility - with pomegranates in her hand.
Reference. The Egyptian pharaohs consumed pomegranate juice daily and believed that it strengthens the body and spirit.
Growing areas
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) grows wild in Southern Europe and Western Asia.
His grow in Iraq, Afghanistan, India, China, Japan, Korea, Hawaii and Bermuda, Iran, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, France, Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia.
In Russia, pomegranate is common on the Black Sea coast, in North Ossetia, Dagestan and Crimea.
Useful properties of pomegranate
The pomegranate has a rich vitamin and mineral composition, therefore, with regular use, it has a beneficial effect on the body.
The benefits of grains:
- disinfecting properties of tannins;
- decreased activity of tuberculous, intestinal and dysentery bacilli;
- elimination of diarrhea;
- strengthening the cardiovascular and nervous systems;
- prevention of influenza and ARVI;
- normalization of thyroid function;
- prevention of atherosclerosis;
- treatment of anemia, malaria;
- toning and general strengthening of the body;
- lowering blood pressure;
- reducing the risk of developing oncology;
- normalization of the condition with bronchial asthma and anemia;
- cleansing the body thanks to antioxidants;
- normalization of the digestive tract;
- increased hemoglobin levels;
- diuretic effect;
- help in the treatment of diseases of the lungs, liver, kidneys;
- elimination of headaches;
- skin rejuvenation;
- acceleration of cell renewal.
In addition to grains, juice and seeds, pomegranate peels and partitions are used for food.
Reference. The dried peels are used to make a powder with an astringent effect. It is used to treat enterocolitis and to heal cracks and cuts. A decoction of the peels helps to cure colds, stomatitis, periodontal disease and remove parasites. Dried partition tea helps to calm down and improve sleep.
Pomegranate has a number of contraindications for use:
- gastritis with high acidity;
- stomach ulcer;
- children's age up to 1 year;
- hemorrhoids;
- chronic constipation.
Concentrated juice has a detrimental effect on tooth enamel due to its high acid content, so dentists recommend partially diluting it with water and drinking it through a straw.
Chemical composition
The table shows the vitamin and mineral composition of pomegranate grains per 100 g.
| Name | Content | Rate per day |
| Vitamin A | 5 μg | 900 mcg |
| Beta carotene | 0.03 mg | 5 mg |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.04 mg | 1.5 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.01 mg | 1.8 mg |
| Vitamin B4 | 7.6 mg | 500 mg |
| Vitamin B5 | 0.54 mg | 5 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.5 mg | 2 mg |
| Vitamin B9 | 18 mcg | 400 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 4 mg | 90 mg |
| Vitamin E | 0,4 mg | 15 mg |
| Vitamin H | 0.4 μg | 50 mcg |
| Vitamin K | 16.4 μg | 120 mcg |
| Vitamin PP | 0.5 mg | 20 mg |
| Niacin | 0,4 mg | — |
| Potassium | 150 mg | 2500 mg |
| Calcium | 10 mg | 1000 mg |
| Silicon | 5 mg | 30 mg |
| Magnesium | 2 mg | 400 mg |
| Sodium | 2 mg | 1300 mg |
| Sulfur | 16,7 mg | 1000 mg |
| Phosphorus | 8 mg | 800 mg |
| Chlorine | 2 mg | 2300 mg |
| Aluminum | 110 mcg | — |
| Boron | 54.4 μg | — |
| Vanadium | 14 μg | — |
| Iron | 1 mg | 18 mg |
| Iodine | 2 μg | 150 mcg |
| Cobalt | 2.1 μg | 10 mcg |
| Lithium | 0.9 μg | — |
| Manganese | 0.119 mg | 2 mg |
| Copper | 158 mcg | 1000 mcg |
| Molybdenum | 5.1 mcg | 70 mcg |
| Nickel | 1.8 μg | — |
| Rubidium | 37.6 mcg | — |
| Selenium | 0.5 μg | 55 mcg |
| Strontium | 19.4 μg | — |
| Fluorine | 58.7 mcg | 4000 mcg |
| Chromium | 1.5 mcg | 50 mcg |
| Zinc | 0.35 mg | 12 mg |
| Zirconium | 6.1 μg | — |
Nutritional value of the product per 100 g:
- calorie content - 72 kcal;
- proteins - 0.7 g;
- fats - 0.6 g;
- carbohydrates - 14.5 g;
- organic acids - 1.8 g;
- fiber - 0.9 g;
- water - 81 g.
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Conclusion
Is pomegranate a citrus fruit or not? According to the botanical description, it is a berry. Grains, peels and partitions contain vitamins and minerals, organic acids, about 28% tannins. The incredible benefits for the body are due to the rich chemical composition.
Pomegranate has analgesic, antipyretic, wound healing, antiseptic, anti-sclerotic, choleretic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, anthelmintic, tonic effect.