The Taste of Paradise, in Ruby Red

The Taste of Paradise, in Ruby RedHamed Parnianmehr

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As October reaches its midpoint every year, it's time to harvest the pomegranates that have bent the branches of the trees. Early November and National Pomegranate Day provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the significance of this heavenly fruit in Iranian culture.

Iranian pomegranates are renowned for their diverse qualities: tart, sweet, juicy, heavy, small, smooth-skinned, transparent, thin, and uncracked. The pomegranates of Saveh are sweet with thin skins and long shelf lives. Neyzar's pomegranates in Qom are large-seeded, late-ripening, and have a balanced flavor. Ferdows pomegranates from Khorasan are rich in beneficial sugars and are known for treating liver poisoning. Yazd's sweet pomegranates, with their white and pink seeds, are even sweeter than those of Ferdows. The white-seeded, sweet pomegranates of Khafr in Shiraz are inexpensive in Iran due to their lack of redness but are highly popular and fetch higher prices in European markets. Firuzkuh's pomegranates are large-seeded, juicy, have a balanced flavor, and thick skins, making them ideal for juicing.

         Throughout history, pomegranates have been regarded as a vital food and medicine in many cultures, symbolizing life, birth, fertility, marriage, and wealth. While some believe the pomegranate tree is native to Greece, most agree it originated in Iran and has been cultivated since ancient times.

          In ancient religions, pomegranates held a special place. In Zoroastrianism, pomegranate seeds were used in Yalda Night ceremonies, as Iranians believed the angel of light and truth was born from them. In Iranian mythology, it is said that the legendary hero Esfandiar became invincible after eating a pomegranate. In Islam, the pomegranate is mentioned in the Quran as one of the blessings and signs of God's power and greatness.

         Around 2000 BCE, the Lurs of western Iran created astonishing handicrafts, now known as Luristan bronzes, some of which depict a mother goddess holding a pomegranate tree. Additionally, in parts of Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings, one can find bas-reliefs of pomegranates adorning the canopy above Xerxes' head. In Sassanian bas-reliefs, pomegranates are placed between two palm leaves resembling wings, symbolizing fertility. Pomegranate motifs also adorn carpets in various regions of Iran, with pomegranate trees woven into the designs.

         Beyond being a beloved fruit, pomegranates play a significant role in Iranian cuisine. They are used in many dishes from northern Iran, such as Anarbij stew, made with ground lamb, walnuts, sour pomegranate juice, herbs, and spices, or Anar stew, cooked with chicken, roasted pomegranate seeds, and spices. Fesenjan, another Iranian dish, is made with sour pomegranate paste and is featured on the menus of many Iranian restaurants. Iranians even make desserts and cold drinks from pomegranates.

         The pomegranate, with its rich history and cultural significance, continues to be a symbol of life and prosperity in Iranian culture. Its unique qualities and versatility in cuisine and art make it a cherished fruit, celebrated annually on National Pomegranate Day.