[heading style=”1″]Pomegranates[/heading] Desert Star Farms is excited to be growing one of the world’s oldest known fruits. This nutrient dense fruit originated in Persia and is revered as a symbol of health and fertility. This fantastic fruit recently made its way back into the headlines after some amazing clinical tests yielded the following results:
Compounds found only in pomegranates called punicalagins are shown to benefit the heart and blood vessels. Punicalagins are the major component responsible for pomegranate’s antioxidant and health benefits. They not only lower cholesterol, but also lower blood pressure and increase the speed at which heart blockages (atherosclerosis) melt away.

Almost as important as this is that they are delectable!

Pomegranates are widely used for decorative purposes, but can also be eaten fresh. Children especially enjoy breaking the fruit open and eating the kernels. The kernels are frequently used as a garnish for desserts and salads. Pomegranate juice is another delicacy. The juice is used many ways in a variety of foods and beverages. Pomegranate juice is also used to make wine, or as a refreshing punch base.

The character of the fruit made it particularly agreeable to the inhabitant of hot, arid regions, and so it spread east to India and China, and west to countries encircling the Mediterranean.

Spanish missionaries brought the pomegranate to the New World soon after Cortez conquered Mexico in 1521. As the missions moved north to California, so did the fruits grown by the padres. Most descriptions of early California fruit gardens mention pomegranates as being widely grown, and even today many California fruit gardens mention pomegranates as being widely grown.

In the U.S., pomegranates are grown where winters are mild, but only in California does the fruit reach the quality necessary for successful commercial production. Our Desert Star Farm pomegranates exceed the quality of other California farms because of our strategic location and techniques.