Pomegranate/Persia

Pomegranate, which originated in the ancient Persian Empire, traditionally served as a symbol of health and fertility for many cultures and religions worldwide. Mentions of this delicious 4000-year-old fruit date all the way back to the Old Testament, but its popularity remains prevalent even in modern times. Today, this fruit is cultivated in “pomegranate gardens” throughout several regions in modern day Persia and other parts of the world. While pomegranate was originally used to treat sickness—the rinds were used to cure a sore throat and the juice to cure a stomachache—it’s more commonly consumed for its taste and valuable nutrients today. Iranian juice-makers often place these fruits in a tub and stomp on them with special shoes. The juice goes through openings and into a clay trough. It is then sold on street corners by various vendors—sounds like the perfect beverage for a hot day!