Comparison of Varieties of Pomegranate Criollas

The pomegranate tree (Punica granatum L.) is a deciduous species with a bushy growth habit native to Asia, considered one of the first fruit trees to be cultivated in the world (Still, 2006), in Mexico, the pomegranate is produced commercially in very few places. Being only in the states of Hidalgo and Guanajuato. Production of which is used for the restaurant industry in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey and Puebla, (Mira, 2010). The variety of pomegranate commonly cultivated and marketed in Mexico, is named as Wonderful because it is easy to adapt and is considered as a high-end product; however, there are Criollo varieties that have similar or better characteristics to the variety already mentioned. Due to the evidence previously mentioned, it is necessary to make comparisons of Creole varieties, with the purpose of being represented as an alternative of production and at the same time fulfill the demands of consumers such as: sweet and sour-sweet flavor pomegranates, internal and external color, bigger size, higher percentage of juice, acidity, less hardness of the seed and among other characteristics.