Should i refrigerate pomegranates

Questions like: how to store pomegranates, and how long do they last? In this article, I cover everything you need to know about storing pomegranates. When it comes to whole pomegranates, you should store them in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place, away from sunlight [UOF].

The best place that meets all those requirements is the fridge. And leave them unwrapped. If you only need the fruits to last for a couple of days, leaving them at room temperature is okay.

When it comes to pomegranate seeds, they require refrigeration. Put them in a food-safe container, possibly airtight. However, the shape changes slightly as the fruit ripens. The juice-filled seeds begin to expand outward and press against the insides of the pomegranates. A ripe pomegranate will have more of a square shape, because the sides are flattened, instead of rounded. Grab the pomegranates, and cut them into quarters. The rind of pomegranates is hard and you cannot really peel a pomegranate because the seeds are nested and attached to the internal membrane.

To get the best part, you need to cut and through the rind. Cutting the pomegranate into quarters will give you the best access to the seeds. Since the seeds are heavier than the membrane that surrounds the seeds, they will sink to the bottom of the bowl, and the membrane will rise to the surface.

Removing the seeds underwater can lessen the risk that you may drop part of the pomegranate onto your countertop and stain it.

Once you have removed all the seeds, you can skim off the membrane from the top of the water with your hands or using a strainer. Remove the seeds from the bottom of the bowl in the same manner, then ready for storage. Refrigerating the pomegranate rather than leaving it on the counter or in your fruit basket can help it keep fresher and longer.

You can expect the pomegranate to last for about two months if you keep it refrigerated. Be sure to seal the container tightly or place them in a plastic bag before storing them in the refrigerator. If you store the pomegranate in a dry, cool place, it can last for about a month. At room temperature, it can last for a week. Make sure they are completely dry before freezing them. You can also flash freeze the seeds before freezing them in a storage bag.

After drying any remaining water off the seeds, you can place them in a single layer on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze the seeds on the baking sheet for two hours before storing them in a freezer bag. The pomegranate seeds can be stored in the freezer for about a year, but it is best if consumed within the year. Fortunately, pomegranates can last quite a long time and do not need special requirements for storage. At 41 F which is the standard temperature in the fridge, pomegranates can last up to two months.

If you leave the fruits at room temperature, the period can shrink to about a week and a half to two weeks. When it comes to pomegranate seeds, they can last for about 5 to 7 days. To find the perfect pomegranate at the store, you can pick a pomegranate based on visual and tactile clues. Look for the one that has the best red color.

Make sure that it is not round and glossy, but with ridges. Make sure that it is the heaviest ones that meet the color and shape criteria. Telling if the pomegranate is spoiled or not is simple, and usually, you will know right away if yours is or not. Nevertheless, here is a list of signs that pomegranates have gone bad:.

The fruit should feel heavy for its size. If it feels light, then it has probably dried out. It is still worth opening to make sure, though. Some small ones are okay, especially if they are not mushy or sunken. If that is the case, cut-open the fruit and assess the situation.

Large sunken spots indicate that the pomegranate is past its prime. When it comes to pomegranate seeds and the inside of the fruit, here are some things you should look for:. Place them in a container — preferably an airtight one — and then keep this in the fridge. As with other fruits, the length of time a pomegranate lasts for depends on how you store it.

A whole pomegranate can last in the fridge for up to two months , though this does also depend on how long it was left unrefrigerated in the produce section of the store before you bought it. If there are smaller spots like this, it could still be OK to use. If this is the case, cut the pomegranate open and take a look.

If there are only a few brown or black seeds and the rest still have their color, you should be fine to just eat the healthy ones. Pomegranate seeds can last up to a year if stored correctly in the freezer, though they will lose their crunchy texture when thawed.

Separate the seeds onto a lined baking tray, then place this tray into the freezer for a few hours, until the seeds have frozen. Empty the frozen seeds into an airtight container or freezer bag, label it, then store this in the fridge for the long term.