WHITE and SWEET POMEGRANATES
Chico State University brought in many varieties of Pomegranates from the Middle East. I wanted a good White and Sweet selection. Mike Spratley, L. E. Cooke Co salesman since 1979, is a graduate of Chico State and was aware of their large collection. I asked Mike to obtain a good Sweet and White. He obtained about 15 or 20 White and many Sweet.
The L.E. Cooke Co grew all of these selections to observe the fruit and to choose the best of each. This took several years to obtain fruit and then to slowly review and eliminate a few and still review the others seeking the best fruit and production. This is not an easy task and you need to locate many people who like pomegranates to review. After eating a few, you need to try again another day. Not everyone will agree. The goal was to have everyone to agree on those that needed to be dropped so the following years there are fewer to review.
In 1984 we selected our best Sweet and in1994 added our White Sweet, now just called White. We took the time because we wanted the best. We even compared some after we were in production to affirm we had the best selections.
Sweet Pomegranate
SWEET POMEGRANATE is large, orange-red flower, pink skin in the fall. The flesh color is light pink, not nearly as deep as Wonderful. The fruit is sweet and juicy when ripe. Grows to 10 feet, and fruit ripens early September before Wonderful.
White Pomegranate Cut Open
WHITE POMEGRANATE is large, orange-red flower, coral skin in the fall. Flesh color is transparent white and the fruit is very sweet and juicy when ripe. Plant grows to 12 feet, and fruit ripens early September before Wonderful.
Bob Ludekens 1-10-2014
Sweet Pomegranate Information Page - Point of Sale Page
Sweet Pomegranate Additional Photos