Pomegranate
An ancient crop that was domesticated around 5,000 years ago.
The Latin name of the pomegranate granatum is much older than grenades and has nothing to do with explosions, but refers to the many red seeds that are in the pomegranate.
When you open a pomegranate, you see the many small, red seeds in a whitish tissue. The red part is the juicy outer shell of the seeds, and it is an important part of what you eat. The seeds are also used to make grenadine, a red syrup that is made by boiling pomegranate juice with sugar. Grenadine is for example used for cordials and drinks.
Pomegranate is a very old cultural plant.It has been grown for at least 5,000 years, and the fruit is mentioned both in the Bible and in the Koran. According to Prophet Muhammad, the pomegranate cleanses the body of hatred and envy.
Fact box:
- Greenhouse location: Mediterranean house
- Danish name: Granatæble
- Latin name: Punica granatum
- Family: Loosestrife family / Lythraceae
- Natural habitat: Iran, Afghanistan