Good News for health fans: a summer Pomegranate - Extending the pomegranate season

New pomegranate species that ripen as early as the summer months will be exposed for the first time at the international agricultural exhibition Agro Mashov 19^th that will take place on January 14-15, in Israel.

 

The pomegranate is considered to have many health qualities such as slowing aging, preventing heart disease, strengthening the heart, reducing bad cholesterol in the blood, reducing blood pressure, improving heart flow and even retreating sclerosis, as well as being a great source of vitamins, minerals and iron.

 

 Ben Gurion University of the Negev (southern Israel) has recently finished the first stage of an ongoing research to develop new unique and quality species of pomegranate. These species ripen as early as July-August, contrary to the original type sold today, that ripen only in the fall, around September- October. The new pomegranates have a deep red color, strong taste and soft grains. These features make the new species very valuable in the market, opening the pomegranate season earlier and for a longer period.

 

 The development of the new specie has been part pf a cross-field research, headed by Prof. Zeev Weisman from the Phyto-Lipid Biotechnology Lab, aiming to broaden the infrastructure for pomegranate industry in the Negev. The researchers have been leading genetic enhancement for the different types and nurturing the future species. Alongside this, another research in its' early stages, is looking into the development of unique pomegranate oil.

 

 

The first stage was to sort out the excelling types according to internal and external color and taste. This stage has recently been concluded with the enlisting of the 3 new species: "Narda", "Rotem" & "Nitzan" in the "Society of rights for Israeli Nurtures" and with commercial contacts made to several companies in Israel and abroad.

 

"We promote and assist several producers and small industries in the south with the sophisticated development of natural pomegranate products of all parts of the fruit, juice and oil", said Prof. Weisman.

 

More information about the pomegranates and other new developments will be presented at the Innovation Booth at the Agro Mashov exhibition, along side many other new and unique innovations from the world of fruit, vegetables, plants etc. Also in the expo- the VFF exhibition (Vegetable, Fruit & Flower) will offer a variety of fresh produce, organic output, shipping and packing solutions, Growers, buyers and delegations arriving from all over the world, an international symposium for fresh produce marketing, Livestock convention and much more.

 

For more details: "Guy Ofek Communications" +972.3.6209099

Carmel Beham +972.54.2271149, Info2@ofekpr.co.il