The ‘King of Fruits’: Azerbaijan’s passionate love affair with the pomegranate

Sweet, visually appealing, and brimming with medicinal benefits, the pomegranate is a true gift from nature, revered and mythologized by cultures and religions throughout history.

The ancient Greeks linked it to the underworld, while Jewish traditions believed its 613 seeds symbolized the number of commandments in the Torah.

Thought to have originated from the region stretching from Iran to northern India, pomegranate shrubs (Punica granatum) quickly spread westward to the Mediterranean and eastward to China. It remains a beloved ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine, especially in countries like Turkey, Armenia, and Iran.

Yet, no place holds the pomegranate in higher regard than Azerbaijan, where the ‘nar’ (the Azerbaijani word for pomegranate) is almost revered as a national symbol of sacred significance.

Pomegranates in Azerbaijani Cuisine

In Azerbaijan, the ‘king of fruit,’ so named for its crown-like sepals, plays a central role in both the nation’s cuisine and culture. Visitors to the ‘Land of Fire’ will be enchanted by the vibrant displays of ruby-red pomegranates in local markets and stores, soon discovering their numerous culinary uses—from natural juices and jams to rich sauces and garnishing national dishes like plov (pilaf) with its jewel-like seeds. The possibilities are endless.

Feride Buyuran, author of ‘Pomegranates and Saffron: A Culinary Journey to Azerbaijan,’ highlights some unique uses of the fruit: ‘A great way to use the tangy arils is to add them to meat dishes, balancing the richness of the meat and aiding digestion, such as in nargovurma.’

Sharbat is a refreshing beverage made from pomegranate, and in the Goychay region, the arils are transformed into sweet preserves called nardancha. ‘Interestingly, these preserves serve both as a sweet treat with tea and as a topping for rice pilafs,’ says Buyuran. ‘There’s also narsharab, a tangy syrup made from pomegranate seeds, which is an essential accompaniment to grilled or fried fish.’

The peel and seeds of the pomegranate are also used in medicinal and cosmetic products. Truly the ultimate superfruit, pomegranates offer remarkable health benefits, with online sources extolling their abundance of antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamin C, and folic acid—whether you’re snacking on the seeds or sipping fresh juice.

Pomegranate wine, traditionally made in rural homes, deserves a mention as well. Recently, it has gained popularity among modern wineries, becoming a signature product of Azerbaijan that you can now savor in trendy wine bars in the capital, Baku.

Pomegranate features prominently in several standout Azerbaijani dishes.

‘A dish where pomegranates shine is narnumru, where eggs are fried over a bed of pomegranate arils sautéed with onions,’ explains Buyuran.

‘A true feast for the eyes! The people of the Salyan region, nestled along the shores of the Kura River, take great pride in this exotic delicacy,’ says Buyuran.

Next up is levengi, a dish where poultry, game birds, or fish are stuffed with a walnut and pomegranate paste before being roasted to perfection.

Another must-try dish is nargovurma, according to Buyuran: ‘Pieces of chicken or meat are simmered with onions and chestnuts, and towards the end, a generous amount of pomegranate seeds are added. It’s typically served with bread or rice pilaf.’

Yet, the pomegranate in Azerbaijan is far more than just a food item. After thousands of years of cultivation in local orchards and its trade along the Caucasian branch of the Silk Road, it has become a cultural icon, inspiring not just chefs, but also artists, writers, and even today’s fashion enthusiasts.

‘Pomegranates occupy a central role in Azerbaijani culture and tradition. They symbolize abundance, blessing, and fertility. These fruits appear everywhere—from folk tales and poetry to art and design,’ says Buyuran.

‘If you happen to visit the 18th-century Sheki Khan’s Palace in the northwest, make sure to admire the fresco in the khan’s meeting room, which features a stunning pomegranate tree—symbolizing the garden of paradise,’ advises Buyuran.

Azerbaijan’s profound admiration for the pomegranate is also mirrored in the works of famed poets like Fuzuli and Nizami Ganjavi, and in the vibrant art of local masters such as Sattar Baklulzade, Tair Salakhov, and Togrul Narimanbekov, according to artist Delyafruz Baghirova.

‘Our legends tell us that the pomegranate is a symbol of love,’ Baghirova shares. ‘In ancient times, expressing love verbally was considered inappropriate, so young men would express their affection by gifting a pomegranate to their beloved. It is also a symbol of fertility, prosperity, and unity.’

Pomegranate Festival

While pomegranates can be found growing throughout Azerbaijan, there is one region known for producing the tastiest ones—Goychay, located in the Aran economic zone at the base of the Caucasus Mountains in north-central Azerbaijan.

It is in Goychay where the annual Pomegranate Festival takes place, typically every year, though this past November marked the first time in four years the event was held due to the coronavirus pandemic. The festival, which began in 2006, quickly became the most beloved rural celebration in the country.

During the two-day event, held at the end of October or early November to coincide with the pomegranate harvest, thousands of people—both locals and tourists bussed in from Baku—flock to the usually quiet town. The streets are lined with stalls offering the region’s juicy pomegranates from its 32 villages.

Thanks to the country’s diverse climate, Azerbaijan is home to over 60 different varieties of pomegranates, ranging in shape, size, and color from white to ruby-red. Many of these varieties are showcased at the Goychay Pomegranate Festival, alongside an array of pomegranate-based products such as juices, jams, sauces, cakes, wines, and even dried peel used in traditional medicine.

Meanwhile, stages are set up for live performances of national music and dance, the air fills with the smoky aroma of grilled kebabs from local cafes, and various competitions take place to crown the largest pomegranate, the most beautiful 'pomegranate girl,' and the fastest pomegranate squeezer. Each year, the contests change to add an element of surprise.

Overall, the Pomegranate Festival, or Nar Bayrami as it’s known in Azerbaijan, is so distinct that it was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020.

Pomegranate Industry

At Nar Bayrami, visitors get a glimpse into the vast scale of Azerbaijan’s pomegranate industry, which plays a significant role in the country’s agricultural landscape. In 2022, the Azerbaijan Pomegranate Producers and Exporters Association reported a production of 187,000 tons, with 15% of that exported overseas.

Most of this export went to Russia and Ukraine, but efforts are underway to introduce Azerbaijan’s ‘king of fruits’ to new markets in Europe and China. The country’s ideal climate and soil conditions position it as a strong competitor in the global pomegranate trade.

While the outlook remains optimistic, one challenge on the horizon is climate change. Shifts in temperature, rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events may negatively impact local pomegranate farming. In response, farmers are encouraged to adopt climate-resilient varieties and implement sustainable water management practices.

Despite potential fluctuations in the industry, Azerbaijan’s deep-rooted love for the pomegranate is likely to endure for generations to come.