THE POMEGRANATE ISN'T just a fruit to the people of Azerbaijan, it is deeply entwined with their way of life, culture, arts. Known as "nar" — very similar to the Urdu word for pomegranate, 'anar' — the fruit was adopted as the country's national symbol as a mark of just how significant it is. Over 200 varieties of pomegranate are reportedly cultivated in Azerbaijan; Goychay — with its unique soil and micro-climate is known for growing the best. Shirvan and Aghshu are similarly renowned for their fruit, usually made into wine. Some of the popular pomegranate varieties — differentiated on the basis of the size of their seeds (arils) or thickness of peel — include Veles, Shirin, Guleysha/Guloyshe and Shikhbaba.
At Goychay's Pomegranate Festival (Nar Bayrami), farmers from all the nearby districts in the region showcase their produce. There are esoteric contests, all with the pomegranate as the star: competitions for the fastest juicing/eating, rating the smallest and largest fruit. Locals also prepare a number of pomegranate-centric dishes to serve visitors: jams and jellies, juice/sherbet, wine.
The Pomegranate In Azerbaijani Food & Drink
The abundance of pomegranate makes it a common ingredient in traditional Azerbaijanian cuisine. The lamb in tika kababs is marinated in pomegranate juice (along with onion and vinegar) before being skewered and grilled. For sherbet, pomegranate juice is mixed or boiled with sugar. Rose water is added for fragrance.
Wine made from pomegranate seeds is known as "nebiz". (Apples and mulberry are some of the other fruit from which nebiz is prepared. Grape wine is known as "sharab".) It has a tart, fruity flavour profile, and is available in both effervescent and still forms.
Arguably the most popular use of pomegranate in food is as "narsharab". Despite the name, this isn't an alcoholic spirit, but a tart sauce that oft serves as a vinegar substitute. It involves squeezing the juice out of pomegranates, then heating the liquid until it is reduced to half its volume. Sugar, coriander, basil, cinnamon and pepper are then added to flavour the sauce. Narsharab is added to fish and meat preparations, as well as salads.
Outside Azerbaijan, pomegranate juice's best-known use perhaps, is as an ingredient in grenadine syrup. Grenadine is part of several popular cocktails, such as Tequila Sunrise and the Singapore Sling or Malibu Sunset.
The Pomegranate As A Symbol
In Azerbaijan, the pomegranate is associated with productivity and abundance. The Quran includes three mentions of the fruit. Whereas in the Bible, it is cited alongside wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, olive oil and honey, as being the produce the Promised Land would have in abundance.
Since ancient times, the pomegranate has been considered a symbol of fertility: the High Priestess tarot card features the fruit; Persephone in Greek mythology had a particular connection with it as well (she ate six of its seeds, which compelled her to spend half of every year in the Underworld with Hades); and Catherine of Aragorn adopted it as her personal symbol, as a nod to her childhood in Granada. In happier times, Henry VIII displayed the pomegranate on his shield in deference to his wife, and it featured prominently next to the Tudor rose on coats of arms. When Catherine died, even though Henry denied her a state funeral/burial (he was wed to Anne Boleyn by that time), the site of the unfortunate queen's grave was marked with her beloved pomegranate trees. Even today, visitors place pomegranates at her tomb.
The Pomegranate In Other Celebrations
During Iran's winter solstice festival, Yalda (or Shab-e Yalda), pomegranates occupy pride of place on the table, with watermelons. Eating pomegranate seeds during the night of Yalda is considered to bring good fortune and prosperity.
In Greece, there are two customs connected with the pomegranate: On New Year's Eve, a family will smash the fruit against their front door. The greater the number of seeds that fall out, the greater will be your fortune in that year. The second custom is a variation of the first: The head of the family — typically the father — carries a pomegranate with him to church on New Year's Day so it can be blessed. On returning home, he knocks at the door, to signify that he is the first visitor of the year, then smashes he pomegranate against the door. Once again, the seeds that spill out indicate the luck the family will have that year.
The Pomegranate In Poetry
Its glistening ruby-red seeds have inspired many poets and artists, but here's Kahlil Gibran on the pomegranate (and why he may prefer quince). And you might like these lyrical verses by Imtiaz Dharker that pay homage to the King of Fruits.