Combined symbolism and usefulness
Last autumn season highlighted ‘Apples: an autumnal wonder.’ 2024 celebrates pomegranates, also known as ‘the seeded apples.’ Interestingly, these two fruits often appear together and share a rich history of symbolic and mythological associations. Historians believe the pomegranate originated in Afghanistan and Iran before spreading to other parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe through trade and export. The pomegranate belongs to the “seven kinds” mentioned in Scripture, closely associated with the Land of Israel. People then considered it a blessing to offer these fruits in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Ripening at the end of summer, just in time for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, the pomegranate holds deep symbolic meaning. According to tradition, each pomegranate contains 613 seeds, representing the 613 commandments in the Torah. These vibrant fruits got enjoyed for their taste and used to decorate and bless ceremonies during New Year celebrations and other Jewish holidays. The east too embraced Pomegranates. Accordingly, they are appearing in China during the Han and Sung dynasties. Some even speculate that pomegranates could be the legendary fruit from the tree of life!
Pomegranate beauty
In 2023, Zaozhuang City in China hosted the Pomegranate Industry Development Conference, bringing together 30 companies that supply pomegranate extracts to the beauty and personal care industry. These extracts, including Ellagic Acid Powder and Seed Extract (rich in bioactive Punicic Acid), are even marketed as Kosher and Halal. As China’s pomegranate industry grows, its influence will expand in the global beauty market. Brands like Italian Perlier and Weleda are already capitalizing on pomegranate’s benefits, offering products such as Weleda’s Awakening Body Beauty Oil, praised for its nourishing qualities and uplifting fragrance.
Orchard scents
How about autumn-perfect candles that join the orchard friends? Apple and pomegranate come together in ForeverWick Candle Co’s Pomegranate Fuji Apple Surprise. Parks London artisanal candles offer Pomegranate Noir, blending the fruit with a drizzle of sweet honey for a rich and inviting top note. The scent gets further enhanced by sun-bleached woods, golden amber, and warm musks, adding a subtle intensity.
Health benefits and more
Did you know that while the ancients used pomegranate skin and bark for medicinal purposes, you can only eat the seeds? They represent a brilliantly colorful addition when tossed on a salad. In some clinical studies, pomegranate juice has been shown to offer significant benefits, especially in preventing heart disease. Preliminary studies indicate that the juice may possess almost three times the total antioxidant ability of green tea or red wine. Pomegranates also provide a substantial amount of potassium, fiber, vitamin C and niacin.
Modern and traditional recipes
Versatile pomegranates can go into baking, cooking, juice blends, meal garnishes, smoothies, and alcoholic beverages, such as cocktails and wine! Recently the New York Times featured Yewande Komolafe’s roasted squash with turmeric-ginger chickpeas. The dish features a vibrant mix of roasted squash, marinated chickpeas, and salad greens topped with pomegranate seeds. Beautiful, healthy, and simple, consider this fall perfect carrot and cod fillet recipe. Heading into the High Holidays, consider more recipes offered in Apples and Pomegranates: A Rosh Hashanah Seder.
Symrise offers a variety of orchard fruit ingredients in their portfolio of organic and sustainably produced products. These include easily rehydrated Flakes, Appl’In™, a natural apple extract that reduces glucose absorption by 30%, and Actipone® Pomegranate Hyper GW CA.
Weigh in below with comments on your favorite orchard possibilities!
