| Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole | 2-3 Weeks | 1-2 Months | 12 Months |
Shelf Life of Pomegranate
The pomegranate fruit comes from the pomegranate shrub. They can be kept at room temperature for many days if kept away from sunlight. If stored in a refrigerator, its shelf life increases dramatically so that it is edible for up to three months. Freezing the seeds increases the shelf life even further to around 6 months.
Purchasing Pomegranates
When you go out to purchase pomegranates, it is important to keep two things in mind. First, weight matters. The heavier the pomegranate is, the greater it’s chances to containing more seeds and thus the juicer it is. Second, to make sure that you take home the juiciest pomegranate, be sure to go for the deepest colored fruit in the lot. The deeper the color, the tastier it will be. Other than keeping these two important things in mind, pomegranate picking is just like picking any other fruit, in that you should avoid fruits with rough, broken skin or soft spots and examine the shape of the fruit.
Storing Pomegranates
Once you have purchased the pomegranates, the next step would be to store them. Storing techniques vary depending on the duration you want to store them. If you want to store the whole fruit for a few days, room temperature is good enough. But if you want to extend the fruits life to about three months, you need to store it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Pomegranate seeds stay good for around three days in the refrigerator. To increase storage life even further, the seeds can be removed from the fruit and then frozen in an airtight container so that they remain edible for six months after the purchase of the fruit.
Handling Pomegranates
Washing is always the first step whenever handling any fruit. Then proceed to remove the seeds from inside the fruit. Be sure to wear an apron because pomegranate juice can stain your fingers and clothes very easily. Try to avoid storing the seeds in plastic containers because they tend to soak up the dye. It is always best to use glass containers because they don’t catch permanent stains. If you’re removing the seeds by hand, the chances are that the juice will stain your fingers, use kitchen rubber gloves if you wish to avoid pink fingers. Avoid using aluminum and carbon knives because exposure to these elements can cause the pomegranate juice to become bitter.
Cooking Pomegranates
Pomegranate seeds are beautiful and delicious. They, along with pomegranate juice can be used for many purposes. The sweet and rich juice of the pomegranate is used to serve as a base for sauces and as flavor to drinks. It is also used to give that special tangy, citrusy kick to sweet and savory dishes that makes everyone want to come back for just one more taste. Other than that, even if not cooked, pomegranate seeds are a flavorsome delight for all to enjoy.