Pomegranates, the fruits of the pomegranate tree . originate from the Middle East and are now cultivated in Mediterranean and subtropical regions. Major producers include India, Iran, Turkey, Mediterranean countries, and California in the United States. The production process begins with planting and cultivating the trees, which take 3-4 years to bear fruit. The fruit matures over several months before being hand-harvested to prevent damage. Post-harvest, pomegranates are washed and sorted to remove any damaged or blemished fruits. They are then graded by size and color, with larger, deeper-colored fruits deemed higher quality. Next, pomegranate arils (seeds) are extracted, either manually or with machines. The extracted arils are then packed and shipped for consumption or further processing.