The Maltese saying ‘Is-siġra tar-rummien timlilek il-ġewlaq u żżejjen il-ġnien’ translated as ‘The pomegranate tree fills your belly and adorns your garden’, beautifully captures the essence of this ancient fruit.

The pomegranate, or rummien, is one of the earliest fruits cultivated by humankind, valued not only for its taste but also for its many uses throughout history.

Beyond being a delicious and decorative addition to the Mediterranean landscape, the pomegranate once played an important role in daily life. Its tough outer peel and branches were used in traditional crafts. The tannins they contain made them perfect for tanning leather and dyeing fabrics a soft yellowish hue. This practical use made the tree an asset to both farmers and artisans.

The fruit also held a place in early medicine. Ancient remedies made from its bark and rind were believed to treat oral ailments and throat infections, long before modern medicine developed.

Today, the pomegranate continues to be a symbol of prosperity, fertility, and good health, admired not just for its ruby-red seeds but also for the rich cultural and historical roots it carries across the Mediterranean, including here in Malta.

Do you love eating pomegranate?