Hicaz Pomegranate Buying Guide: Brix, Color Index, and Long-Term Cold Chain Stability

# Hicaz Pomegranate Buying Guide: Brix, Color Index, and Cold Chain The Turkish Hicaz pomegranate is globally celebrated as the benchmark for premium commercial pomegranates. Unlike milder Mediterranean varieties, Hicaz delivers a rich sweet-sour balance (15°–17° Brix with 1.5%–1.8% citric acid), intensely pigmented dark ruby arils, and thick elastic rind resistant to shipping abrasions. ### 1. Quality Parameters & Optical Calibration - **Skin Color:** Minimum 70% dark crimson red over smooth surface. - **Aril Color:** Deep dark ruby / garnet red (Class 1 standard). - **Juice Yield:** >45% juice by total weight. - **Brix Sugar Level:** 15.0° to 17.5° Brix. ### 2. Standard Packaging Formats 1. **Single-Layer Open Top Tray (4.0kg / 4.5kg / 5.0kg):** - Caliber 6, 7, 8 (450g – 600g+ per piece) - Caliber 9, 10, 12 (300g – 420g per piece) - Caliber 14 (250g – 290g per piece) 2. **Bulk Wooden / Corrugated Crates (9.0kg / 15.0kg):** For wholesale repacking and foodservice juicing operations. ### 3. Cold Chain & Transit Guidelines Pomegranates are susceptible to chilling injury if stored below +5.0°C for extended periods. Nilasya Global mandates: - Storage Temperature: +5.5°C to +6.0°C. - Relative Humidity: 90% – 95% RH. - Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) liners to eliminate transpirational moisture loss.