The cultivation of the pomegranate began in the ancient culture of Northern India, particularly the Indus Valley, adjoining Persia and ancient Bactria.
The seeds have been a Hebrew symbol of fertility since biblical times, and the fruit once formed part of the decoration on the pillars of King Solomon’s temple. The Bible notes that King Solomon has large a planting of pomegranates.
The pomegranate was introduced to the Mediterranean as far west as Spain and Portugal from western Asia by ancient sailors and traders. It was introduced from Carthage to ancient Rome. The fruit is one of the symbols of the love goddess Aphrodite, is central to the Greek myth of Persephone.
In classical Latin, the fruit was known either as Malum punicum or Malum granatum.
In the 16th century, Spanish missionaries brought the plant to the New World. It is mainly grown in California and Arizona.
History and origin of pomegranate
