How to start a pomegranate processing plant?
If you have a food industry that needs to process pomegranate to obtain its extract, you will know that it is one of the most difficult fruits to process.
A hard, red skin that hides large, dark ruby-coloured arils inside, rich in a sweet and slightly acidic juice: these are the elements that make the pomegranate unique. This fruit is as precious and rich in beneficial properties (primarily antioxidant and anti-inflammatory) as it is difficult to process for food processing.
This is why we at Puleo, thanks to the experience we have gained over the years, have set up a complete pomegranate processing line: from reception to pressing.
Choosing the Right Processing Line
Depending on the expected daily quantity of pomegranate, you will be able to identify the line best suited to your needs.
Steps for Proper Processing of the Pomegranate
Here are the steps for proper processing of the pomegranate:
- Receiving, manual sorting and washing: once harvested, the pomegranate can be washed and then transferred to the shelling stage. Whether you want the fruit to arrive in bins, crates or by trailer, you can provide a large washing tank with a bubbling system or a simple oversized hopper prepared for washing.
- Separating the arils to the Pomegranate Deseeder: once washed, the pomegranate is transferred to the GRANADA, the exclusive machine that allows the pomegranate to be processed, avoiding lacerations during the so-called de-seeding process and guaranteeing maximum product integrity. Thanks to our GRANADA, it is possible to achieve perfect shelling while always ensuring the integrity of the product and avoiding lacerations .
- Transfer of arils: once de-seeded, the arils are transferred to the pneumatic press via a peristaltic pump or mohno pump.
- Soft-pressing process of the arils: the arils are transferred into the pneumatic press where their juice will be extracted by soft pressing at various pressure levels. The waste, i.e. membranes, seeds, and aril peel (about 15% of the total) will then be evacuated at the end of pressing by means of an automated discharge system.
Once the juice is obtained as it is, it can be filtered or pasteurised, depending on your needs.
Contact us for information on your next pomegranate plant!