Swat Pomegranates
Local name: Anar
September – November Barikot, Mingora, lower Swat
Photograph of the fruit by Julia Fraedrich, CC BY 2.0. The picture shows the fruit. It was not taken in a Swat orchard.
About Swat Pomegranates
Pomegranates, anar, ripen in autumn in the warmer lower valley. They are sold whole in the bazaar and split open at the stall so you can see the seeds. The season overlaps with apples, quince and persimmons.
Why it's famous
A heavy fruit with a dull, leathery skin and a deep red blush is the one vendors open first. The seeds should look full, not dry.
Harvest season
September – November
Where it grows
Barikot, Mingora, lower Swat
Growing areas
Common uses
- 1Fresh seeds
- 2Juice
- 3With salads and raita
Fun fact
Tap a pomegranate. A ripe one sounds dull and feels heavy for its size.
At the stall
In season
The usual window is September – November. A warm or late year can move it by a couple of weeks.
How to buy
Choose fruit that smells like itself and feels heavy for its size. Avoid anything crushed or leaking.
Use fresh
Eat or cook it close to the day you buy it. Mountain fruit loses aroma quickly once it sits.
FAQs about Swat Pomegranates
When is Swat Pomegranates season in Swat?+
September – November. The weeks move with the weather, so a warm or late spring can shift the harvest.
Where does Swat Pomegranates grow in Swat?+
Swat Pomegranates is grown around Barikot, Mingora, lower Swat. Places people name most often: Barikot, Mingora, Lower Swat.
What is Swat Pomegranates called locally?+
In Swat bazaars the fruit is widely known as Anar.
What is Swat Pomegranates used for?+
Fresh seeds. Juice. With salads and raita.
Are Swat Pomegranates from Swat organic?+
Spray use varies by orchard. Ask the grower if you want fruit grown with little or no spray. This page does not certify any fruit as organic.
