Egyptians saw it as a symbol of prosperity, while Greeks and Persians linked it to fertility and beauty, perhaps most famously in Persephone’s unbreakable connection to Hades: the Pomegranate is both a delicious and culturally significant fruit. Thought to have originated in Afghanistan and Iran, this little red globetrotter has since spread to Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Growing on deciduous shrubs that reach a respectable 5 to 10 metres, pomegranates are nature's way of proving good things come in complex packages. Crack one open and you'll find more chambers than a royal palace, each packed with seeds wearing juicy, fleshy coats called sarcotesta.

With 200 to 1,400 seeds per fruit, this versatile show-off stars in garnishes, cocktails, and cuisines worldwide. In the days before cocktail bars, ancient cultures used it in remedies for tummy troubles, skin woes and intestinal parasites.