The pomegranate (Punica granatum L) is an ancient fruit crop, which has its origin in the Middle East and specifically, in Iran. It is also native to Israel, where it has been cultivated and utilized for its unique characteristics for many years. The pomegranate tree cultivation has expanded from its original habitat to other countries, such as Turkey, India, and Central Asia countries, China, Japan and Russia. The Arabs brought it to Egypt and Northern Africa countries and the Moors to Spain and subsequently, through the Spanish settlers it was introduced to Mexico and the US. (California). More recently, the pomegranate was introduced to South American countries – Argentina, Chile, Peru and Brazil and to Australia and South Africa.

The total world crop is estimated currently at 1 million tons/year of fruit, of which the leading producing countries are India, Turkey, Iran, and Spain, the U.S., Egypt, China and North African countries. Most of the pomegranate fruits are normally sold in the local markets of the respective producing countries, while a relatively small portion is being exported to European, North American and the Far East markets. The U.S. is exporting pomegranate juice, mostly to Japan, and a relatively small amount of juice is also being exported by some Central Asia Republics. Spain, Turkey, Iran and India are exporting fresh fruit and juice to European markets. Israel is exporting both, fresh fruit and packaged arils.

The pomegranate is a fruit which possess some unique characteristics. While the plant does best in specific climate and soil conditions, it adapts well to a variety of climatic and soil conditions; it is long-lived; extremely drought-tolerant; responds well to irrigation with brackish and recycled water; and its fruits are easy to pick without the use of ladders, because of the, relatively, low height of the tree. The fruity mass, or arils, comprises the edible portion of the fruit whose development involves the external portion of the seed coat becoming succulent. When perfect, these seeds (arils) possess a fresh crispness, delicacy and sprightliness of flavor, almost unrivaled among other fruits. The seeds consist of 82.3% water and contain 63 calories per 100 grams of the edible portion. One pomegranate provides most of the body daily potassium needs, Vitamins A, B, C and D, a healthy dose of fiber and no fat. It is also a good source of anthocyanines that are used in the food industry.

Besides the fresh fruit, which is utilized for both, decoration and fresh consumption, one can also buy pomegranate juice – fresh and frozen, pomegranate wine and liquor, grenadine and pomegranate concentrates and molasses.

From antiquity, pomegranate has been also acknowledged to posses' high medical values and as cure against
many diseases – from stomach inflammation to a longevity drug.