The pomegranate is a fruit that originated in Persia (modern-day Iran). The tree has been cultivated in that region, and in other countries of the Middle East, South Asia and the Mediterranean, for several thousand years, with remains of the fruit being found that date back to the Early Bronze Age in Jericho and Cyprus. The fruit was spread to China and South-east Asia along the Silk Road or by sea traders. It has since been spread to other regions and countries to which it is not native, including the Korean Peninsula and Japan, and the pomegranate has a symbolic presence in many different cultures.
The name of the fruit, pomegranate, comes from two Latin words. The first, pomum, meaning apple, and the second, granatum, meaning seeded. The fruit has a hard case, which isn't eaten, inside of which are many small seed casings. These are seeds which are covered in a sweet, red jelly. The seeds can be eaten raw, and are also eaten in desserts and used in drinks.
Pomegranates are being studied for their ability to scavenge free-radicals and the juice has been shown for affecting the risk of heart disease. There are clinical trials underway to see what the true health benefits are (sellers of pomegranate derived products have used the, rather limited, evidence to date to promote the fruit without regard to its actual proven benefits), and the seeds are high in a number of different nutrients.
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