Fruit

Punica granatum

S tier

Punica granatum is the cultivated pomegranate—leathery-skinned fruit packed with juicy sweet-tart arils separated by bitter white membranes. Flavour runs winey and cranberry-like; colour of arils ranges from pale pink to deep ruby depending on cultivar. Trees thrive in hot, arid summers and mild winters. Scatter arils on salads, press for juice and molasses, or cook into stews and marinades. When recipes say pomegranate, they mean P. granatum. Whole fruit stores better than berries; score and open under water to free arils cleanly. Juice stains permanently—work carefully.