Seedless pomegranate: cross-sectional appearance, benefits and harms

Trees

Pomegranate is one of the most popular and ancient plants, its grainy fruits beloved for their flavor and nutritional value. However, the large number of seeds in the fruit makes it difficult to eat, as peeling them takes time, and swallowing them can pose a choking hazard.

For this reason, American breeders developed a seedless pomegranate, or rather a pomegranate whose seeds are so soft that swallowing them will not cause any harm to the body and will not be felt.

Characteristics and appearance of a seedless pomegranate in section

The seedless pomegranate is a healthy and juicy fruit, developed by American scientists using selective breeding, without the use of genetic modifications.

Description of the fruit

Pomegranate is a deciduous shrub or small tree from the Lythraceae family. In the wild, the plant can grow up to 6 meters tall. The shrub's slender, spiny branches bear funnel-shaped flowers in a red hue. The green leaves of the shrub are elongated ovals.

The shrub's large, spherical fruits, called pomegranates, are berries with a retained calyx and leathery pericarp. The fruit's skin is orange-yellow or bright red.

Contrary to popular belief, the red fruit's kernels contain seeds. However, they are translucent and easy to chew, making them virtually invisible. The kernels of ripe fruits have a sweet taste and are virtually devoid of astringency and bitterness, unlike those of seeded fruits.

History of cultivation

The pomegranate tree is one of the most ancient fruit trees, mentioned in the cultures of ancient civilizations such as Ancient Rome, Greece, and Egypt. Modern-day Iran is considered the birthplace of the common pomegranate. Today, the plant is cultivated in virtually every country in the world, and its diversity numbers over three hundred species.

This is interesting!

The first pomegranate without hard seeds was bred by American scientists, which could later be grown in Europe by crossing the hybrid with varieties adapted to the local climate.

The result of the breeders' work was the emergence of several types of seedless fruits, which are distinguished by their high yield, unlike the American type.

Types

There are several types of pomegranate without hard seeds, however, only two of them have gained worldwide popularity and widespread distribution.

The first such variety was the American cultivar, Wonderful. The fruits of this shrub have a distinctive creamy color with a bright blush. Each berry weighs between 250 and 300 grams. The small, pinkish-red seeds are quite soft and juicy, and lack acidity and tartness. The berry is most often grown in Peru and Israel, from where it finds its way to Russian supermarket shelves.

The second most popular cultivar was the Spanish cultivar Mollar de Elche. The fruits of this variety are quite similar in appearance to apples, with a thin yet supple pink skin. The berries are large, weighing up to 800 g. The large seeds have a pleasantly sweet flavor. In Spain, the plant is grown commercially and is widely exported worldwide.

How to distinguish it from a regular garnet and where to buy it

It's virtually impossible to distinguish a seedless pomegranate from a regular one by appearance, as it's virtually identical to the original fruit. However, the skin of seedless fruits is thinner and more elastic, which must be taken into account when transporting the fruit. Some believe that seedless fruits have a lighter skin, with a pink or cream hue; however, seeded varieties also have a similar color.

A photo of the fruit in cross-section will help you clearly distinguish the fruit from a pomegranate with seeds.

The seedless variety of the plant can be purchased at any large supermarket or from online stores that specialize in exotic fruit delivery. Seedless varieties of the fruit are also available at the market.

The benefits and potential harm of seedless pomegranate

The product contains a large amount of vitamins and other substances necessary for the normal functioning of the body.

Chemical composition of the fruit:

fats;
proteins;
carbohydrates;
fiber;
ash;
organic acids (citric and malic);
niacin;
folacin;
amino acids;
fatty acids;
tannins;
coloring agents;
flavonoids;
cellulose;
estrogens;
mineral substances;
vitamins (A, C, E and group B);
antioxidants;
tannin.

One fruit of the plant contains about 40% of the daily dose of vitamins necessary for the human body, for this reason, regular consumption of the berry helps strengthen the immune system.

In addition, pomegranate helps:

Improving metabolism.
Acceleration of the rehabilitation process after surgical interventions.
Increasing hemoglobin.
Reducing the risk of malignant neoplasms.
Cleansing the body of harmful substances and pathogenic microorganisms.
Improving intestinal microflora.
Strengthening of vascular walls.
Slowing down the wear and tear of joints.

The product has anti-inflammatory, diuretic, choleretic, antipyretic, antiseptic, astringent and hypotensive effects.

Regular consumption of this berry has a beneficial effect on men's health, as it increases potency and improves sexual performance. Eating pomegranate daily on an empty stomach helps normalize hemoglobin levels in the blood.

Pomegranate fruit and juice are actively used as an adjuvant in the treatment of many diseases, including:

Anemia.
Cirrhosis.
Colitis.
Intestinal dysbacteriosis.
Pneumonia.
Stomatitis.
Depression.
ARVI.
Diarrhea.

Interesting!

Pomegranate juice is beneficial for people with poor eyesight, as the vitamins it contains have a beneficial effect on visual acuity and also prevent the development of cataracts.

The berry should be included in the diet of people living or working near radioactive zones due to its ability to remove radioactive substances from the body.

Growing seedless pomegranates at home

The seedless fruit is quite difficult to grow in temperate climates, but gardeners have learned to grow pomegranates indoors. The process is as follows:

Soil. The soil for planting pomegranates must be well-drained, as the tree does not tolerate stagnant water.
Light and location. Pomegranate is a sun-loving tree that requires good light, especially during the fruiting season. However, when choosing a location, keep in mind that the tree does not respond well to direct sunlight or drafts.
Indoor pomegranate
Watering and humidity. The plant requires regular and abundant watering during the active growth phase, but frequent watering is not recommended during the dormant period. When watering, avoid getting water on the shrub's leaves. For potting soil, choose soft, well-settled, and slightly warm water.
Please note!
For active growth, it is necessary to maintain moderate humidity, therefore, during the hot season, it is recommended to spray the foliage of the bush with warm water daily.
Temperature. During the active growth period, the shrub is recommended to be kept at a temperature of 18 to 25°C. When the plant is dormant, the room temperature can fluctuate between 12 and 15°C.
Fertilizing. The tree requires additional feeding during the active growth period, which lasts from spring to fall. Complex mineral fertilizers with a low nitrogen content can be used for this purpose. The plant should be fertilized once every 14 days. However, if the plant is grown for berries, it is better to use organic fertilizers.
Growing pomegranate
Repotting. A young shrub needs to be repotted annually, but mature specimens over three years old should not be repotted so frequently. Repotting should only be done once the shrub's root system has completely filled the pot.
Pruning. Pruning your shrub can not only create a beautiful crown but also encourage branching. Pruning is recommended in February.

Caring for seedless berries is no different from caring for fruit with hard seeds, but growing a plant that will actively bear fruit indoors is quite difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

Seedless fruit has only recently gained popularity and is not widely known. Therefore, before purchasing it, questions arise regarding the taste and other nuances of consuming this "unusual" berry.

Does a regular pomegranate taste different from a seedless fruit?

According to buyers, the berry, which contains no hard seeds, is juicier and sweeter than the fruit with hard seeds. The soft-seeded fruit is believed to be free of the astringency and bitterness characteristic of the common pomegranate.

Are there any contraindications to eating seedless fruit?

Any food product containing vitamins and other bioactive substances has a number of contraindications, and this fruit is no exception. This berry should not be included in the diet of people with intolerances, hemorrhoids, constipation, or gastrointestinal disorders. Furthermore, it should not be consumed by young children.

How many calories are in 100 g of this fruit?

Pomegranate is a low-calorie food product, 100 g contains about 60 kcal.

Seedless pomegranates are a fruit that is just as good as the real thing in terms of nutritional properties and taste. The absence of seeds makes the berry more convenient to eat and reduces the strain on the gastrointestinal tract.

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