The Eversweet Pomegranate Tree

The Eversweet pomegranate is one of the best pomegranate varieties for cooler climates. Sweet even before ripening fully, this fruit thrives in coastal temperatures and is cold hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Most strikingly, the Eversweet pomegranate`s fruit is not the brilliant red that most of us associate with pomegranate. Instead, it is clear, making it a convenient and non-staining alternative. With all these qualities, however, the Eversweet pomegranate remains best known for its intensely sweet flavor.

Here`s everything you need to know about this amazing pomegranate variety! 

History of the Eversweet Pomegranate Tree

The Eversweet pomegranate was developed in the early 1980s in Lebanon. Though the farmer who grew it intended on making a classic ruby red pomegranate, he was surprised by a pale pink fruit that was extremely sweet, even long before it was ripe. He applied for a 20-year patent in 1983. But the pomegranate variety continued to grow in popularity and is now known throughout the world. 

Tree / Fruit Characteristics

The Eversweet pomegranate itself has a unique look that is quite different from most pomegranates! The outside peel is light pink to almost yellowish. The inside flesh is pale pink to almost translucent. The juice does not stain. This is a stark contrast to most pomegranates, which have brilliant scarlet flesh. 

Planting Zones

The Eversweet pomegranate is well suited to growing in USDA growing zones 7 through 10. Unlike most pomegranate varieties, which tend to need much warmer climates, the Eversweet does well in slightly cooler, moist environments. For this reason, it is a favorite for growing in coastal communities. 

Size and Spacing

The Eversweet pomegranate tree reaches about 10 ft. at full maturity, but may get up to 12 ft. in some cases. It has a small spread of between 4 and 6 ft., making it ideal for a small yard or garden. 

Pollination

The Eversweet pomegranate tree is self-fertile, which means that it does not need a pollination partner and will produce fruit even if it is the only tree in your garden! However, you may get a larger fruit crop if you plant a second pomegranate tree nearby to encourage cross-pollination. 

Tree Care 

The Eversweet pomegranate tree is a surprisingly low-maintenance fruit tree. Not particularly susceptible to pests or disease, it is cold hardy to at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit and possibly even lower. 

Sunlight

The Eversweet pomegranate tree prefers full to partial sunlight, which translates to about four to six hours of sunlight a day. However, it will happily enjoy eight hours of sunlight or even more. This is a tree that originated in the Middle East, so sun and heat are its friends! 

Watering

Pomegranate trees prefer clay or loamy soil with good drainage. Water the tree twice a week using a deep watering technique. This involves placing a steadily dripping hose in the roots of the tree and letting it trickle continuously for 40 to 50 minutes. This helps water penetrate deeply into the roots and soak the surrounding soil. 

Pruning 

Prune your Eversweet pomegranate tree in the late winter. This is long after the harvest and helps prep the tree before it puts out its new buds in the summer. Focus on removing the interior branches and shortening the exterior branches to encourage healthier growth. You should expect to see new offshoots on these larger branches, which should produce fruit.

Diseases 

While pomegranate trees can become infected by disease, the Eversweet pomegranate tree is generally highly resistant to disease. You can learn more about diseases that affect pomegranate trees at this link.

Pests

Pomegranates can be affected by a variety of pests, but Eversweet pomegranate trees are not generally attractive to insects. This post on common pomegranate tree pests can help you learn more.

Common Uses For The Eversweet Pomegranate

There are many ways to use the Eversweet pomegranate. Read on to learn all the best ways to incorporate it into your kitchen, whether cooking, juicing, or eating raw. 

What Does The Eversweet Pomegranate Taste Like? 

The Eversweet pomegranate, as the name implies, is one of the sweetest pomegranate varieties. Another of its distinct characteristics is the very soft seeds, which make it easy to eat. Unlike many pomegranate varieties that have large, crunchy seeds, the Eversweet pomegranate`s seeds are soft and edible.

Cooking

Most pomegranates are juiced for application in cooking, but there are many ways to use whole pomegranate seeds as well! Pomegranate juice can be incorporated into sauces and glazes. You can also use it in baking as well, including in cakes, pies, muffins, and sweet breads.

Eating Raw

Eating pomegranates raw is probably the most popular way to consume the fruit. They are delicious sprinkled over yogurt, salad, or just eaten on their own. Many people also enjoy juicing the pomegranate seeds and drinking the juice or incorporating it into yogurt, oatmeal, or other dishes. 

Canning / Freezing / Drying

You can can pomegranates as jelly, relish, jam, or another type of fruit spread. Though the seeds don`t preserve well on their own, both the seeds and flesh or juice can be preserved. 

You can also freeze pomegranate seeds or juice to use later. Store them in a plastic freezer bag and they will be safe for as long as a year. 

Since pomegranates are consumed for their juice and don`t have very substantial flesh, there is no real point in drying them. You want to preserve the deliciously sweet juice, whether you plan on drinking it or adding it to a dish. 

Recipes

There are many ways to use pomegranate in cooking and baking. Check out our post on pomegranate recipes, with options like pistachio and pomegranate meatballs, pomegranate syrup, and braised pomegranate short ribs.

Health Benefits Of The Eversweet Pomegranate

Pomegranates are packed with nutrients and are a wonderfully healthy choice! In fact, some people say that they are one of the healthiest fruits you can find. 

Pomegranates include nutrients like:

• Fiber
• Potassium
• Protein
• Folate
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K

In addition to all of these, pomegranate juice is packed with antioxidants “” even more than wine or green tea! Antioxidants are compounds that fight free radicals, which are cells with the potential to turn into cancer.

Where To Buy Eversweet Pomegranate Trees

You can find Eversweet pomegranate trees for sale at online retailers such as Amazon. Alternatively, call around to your local nurseries, greenhouses, and farms to see if they can help you source a tree locally!

Where To Buy Eversweet Pomegranates

You may be able to find Eversweet pomegranates at your local grocery store. If you live in a coastal region, you might find them from a nearby farmer! They thrive in cooler regions, making them a popular choice for farmers in oceanside communities. Eversweet pomegranates are in season in the late summer through the early fall. 

FAQ

What Type of Pomegranate is the Sweetest? 

Different pomegranate varieties can range from moderately sweet to tangy to almost nutty in flavor. It should come as no surprise that the Eversweet pomegranate is considered one of the sweetest varieties of the fruit!

How Long Does It Take Pomegranate Trees To Produce Fruit? 

As a general rule, pomegranate trees need two to three years to establish growth before they begin producing fruit. After that period, most trees are prolific fruiters, producing as much as 20 lbs. of fruit every year. Eversweet pomegranate trees take about seven months after reaching full maturity to produce fruit. 

Conclusion

Packed with nutrition and deliciously sweet at any stage of development, the Eversweet pomegranate is a delightful fruit to grow. It is wonderfully hardy and resistant to pests and disease, almost guaranteeing that you will have a bumper crop of fruit every year.

What`s your favorite way to enjoy Eversweet pomegranates? Tell us in the comments! 

Excited to learn more about this magical fruit? Then check out our pomegranate trees page for information on pomegranate planting, growing, harvesting, cooking, and more!