India pomegranates

Pomegranates enjoyed strong sales over the Christmas period as UK shoppers embraced the ruby Middle Eastern jewel.

Sales of whole pomegranates were up 15 per cent at Waitrose, while views of the roast turkey with pomegranates and spiced nuts recipe up over 400 per cent, and the turkey and pomegranate salad up 64 per cent, on Waitrose.com.

A number of celebrity chefs recommended using the fruit in a variety of dishes in the run-up to the festive period: Jamie Oliver suggested sprinkling pomegranates over roast goose, as a crunchy alternative to cranberry sauce, Tom Kerridge was busy adding them to festive salads, while Heston Blumenthal launched a new fresh mulled cranberry & pomegranate sauce to his range at Waitrose.

Martin Caws, development chef at Waitrose, said: 'Pomegranates are so versatile and add a fresh and fruity flavour to many traditional festive dishes, whilst adding a touch of bling.'