Finike Hijaz Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a fruit tree grows in various parts of the world, such as Turkey, Iran, Armenia, Afghanistan, the Himalayas, etc. However, ‘Finike Hijaz Pomegranate’ differs from others due to its higher unit weight per fruit, flavour, and higher tree yield. It was brought to our lands by the Phoenician sailors, the founders of our district. It grows in the mountainous neighbourhoods of the Finike district of Antalya province, especially in Akyaka, Gökbük, Yalnız, Ernez, Alacadağ, Asarönü, Arif neighbourhoods of Turkey. The feature that distinguishes this product from other Hijaz Pomegranates is its slightly tart taste and high unit weight. Its taste is not very sour and is closer to sweet than other Hijaz Pomegranate varieties. The average weight per fruit varies between 300-1300 gr depending on the abundance of water and climatic conditions in that year. The skin colour of ripe fruits is redly pink tones. The colour of pomegranate grains is a distinctive clear red-burgundy colour. Grain kernels are quite small, and their water yield and WSDM (Water-Soluble Dry Matter) ratio are high. This fruit has a sweeter smell than other Hejaz Pomegranates. Trees are starts to bear fruit when it is 3-4 years old. It is harvested in September-October. Local communities are produced and used it traditionally such as Pomegranate molasses, juice, wine, dried pomegranate seeds snacks and pomegranate jam made from this fruit are also consumed with great pleasure. The pomegranate molasses traditionally made from this product is slightly different in colour, consistency and taste compared to other pomegranate molasses. Its colour is pinkish brown, and its taste is not very sour but tart. In addition, it has a slightly more liquid consistency compared to other pomegranate molasses, and due to these properties, salt is added to prevent microbial spoilage or fermentation. It is the best way of preservation of Hijaz pomegranate and used as the pomegranate syrup when the fresh fruits are not available. However, the local communities traditionally are using from its dried skin as a medicine for diarrhoea.
