How to ripen pomegranate at home

Pomegranate is a very tasty and healthy fruit that is liked by both children and adults. As a rule, the lowest price is kept during the pomegranate season - the autumn-winter period; by summer it rises and becomes simply sky-high.

The fruit grows in southern latitudes, which is why it is so juicy and sweet. Ripening under the warm rays of the sun, it is enriched with beneficial vitamins and antioxidants. That is why it is so widely used in medicine, cooking and even in cosmetology.

You can buy pomegranate for future use, knowing the secrets of storage, and enjoy the delicacy all year round. The condition for storage is the correct choice.

How to choose the right grenades

Knowing how to choose a pomegranate, you can maintain the body’s vitamin balance all year round. There are several rules, based on which you will choose the right fruit, and ripe pomegranate will always be in the refrigerator:

In appearance, the pomegranate peel should be uniform in color, without damage, cracks or dents. Spots on the surface, as well as cracks, indicate incipient deterioration, as well as the fact that the integrity of the packaging was grossly violated during transportation.
The grains under the shell should be slightly palpable. That is, pay attention to fruits with thin skins. A fleshy surface is a sign of unripe fruit.
By weight, choose heavy ones weighing at least 500 grams. The larger the pomegranate, the tastier it is. Accordingly, the fruits should be large and fleshy.
Peel color is red or pink. A shade of brown or orange is the first sign that the berry is spoiled and rotting begins.
Attention, when choosing a ripe fruit, lightly tap the fruit; if it is ripe, you will hear a ringing sound.
You can select a sweet pomegranate using its “crown”; it should be slightly dried.
And the last rule is to make your purchase in November. At this time the fruit will be fresh. Try to purchase fruits as soon as they appear in the store; do not take fruits that have been lying on the shelves for a long time.

Seven simple rules will protect you from buying unripe fruits. This is important if you buy products not only for yourself, but also for your children.

How to choose the right pomegranate?

In the East, the homeland of the pomegranate, they say that the fruit should be juicy on the inside and dry on the outside.
Therefore, when choosing a pomegranate, pay attention to its skin. It should be slightly dried and “tighten” the grains. This is very important, because the peel can simply dry out from long-term storage, and the grains dry out along with it. A smooth and not dried out crust indicates that the pomegranate was picked from the tree before it had time to ripen. Red grains that can be seen through the cut peel do not at all indicate the sweetness of the fruit. Assess the condition and color of the skin. The pomegranate peel should be free of defects and cracks. The color can range from bright red to dark red. An overripe fruit will usually have dark spots and small cracks on the skin, while an unripe pomegranate will have a light skin. The thickness of the fruit crust should be approximately 2 mm. Even if the pomegranate is bright red, look at its “tail”, the place where the flower originally was: a ripe fruit should not have anything green there.

Pay attention to the weight

If you choose a pomegranate at the supermarket, go to the scale. It will be necessary to compare the size of the fruit with others that are available. It is best if you can choose from two or more parties. The larger the fruit, the juicier it produces seeds. Therefore, choose the largest pomegranate. Pomegranates of approximately the same size should be weighed; ripe fruits will be heavier because their grains contain more juice.

Garnet needs to... listen

Tap the fruit with your index finger and listen to the sound it makes. The sound of a ripe pomegranate is "metallic", similar to tapping on a metal container. This is due to the large amount of juice inside. But unripe fruits will produce a dull sound. Tapping an overripe pomegranate may leave indentations in the skin and the sound produced will be slightly muffled.

Check the fruit for firmness. Take the fruit in either hand and squeeze it. The pomegranate should be hard and its peel should be elastic. Fingerprints on the fruit indicate that the fruit is overripe or was dented during transportation, and it is better to refuse such a purchase. A pomegranate that is too hard may turn green inside.

When cut, a ripe fruit has smooth, beautiful grains that are separated by thin membranes. The more pulp there is in the fruit, the juicier it will be. A ripe pomegranate does not have any odor. If, when choosing a fruit, you have the opportunity to try the grains, then be sure to take advantage of it. This is the only way to accurately determine the degree of ripeness of the pomegranate.

– a fruit beloved by many, which is not only a delicious dessert, but also a valuable source of vitamins and microelements. It has a truly unique composition, which is why it has been used since ancient times as a folk medicine and used to create cosmetics. However, you need to know how to determine the ripeness of a pomegranate in order to make a good choice and not be disappointed.

Today, pomegranates can be purchased in supermarkets almost all year round, but the purchased fruit does not always please the buyer. It may turn out to be under-ripe, over-ripe, rotten, or simply tasteless due to insufficient juiciness of the grains. It is important to know how the fruit works in order to understand the rules for determining the ripeness of a pomegranate.

The pomegranate fruit is a berry: under a dense red peel there are up to 700 seeds, which are divided into segments using thin natural membranes.

The size of the fruit varies, but it is usually the size of a large orange. The pomegranate sepal has a characteristic crown, the color of which can be used to judge its ripeness. The color of the grains can be pale or deep ruby, depending on the variety. Cultivated varieties of pomegranate are sweeter and have smaller seeds.

The botanical species Puncia granatum is a shrub or low thorny tree; they are distinguished by fairly strong frost resistance. For pomegranate to become truly ripe and tasty, it requires a hot, long summer, so it is grown mainly in the southern regions. There are many decorative varieties of pomegranates, but they either do not bear fruit or produce small and not juicy fruits.

In order for the choice to be successful and the pomegranate to become a delicious table decoration, you need to focus on several key signs of pomegranate ripeness:

The shape should not be round, but angular. This is an important indication of the ripeness of the grains: as they ripen, their shell hardens, and they will be juicier and sweeter. A fruit with round grains is considered unripe.
The color of the fruit should not be pale; during ripeness it ranges from pink to bright red. A light skin indicates that the flesh will be sour. In addition, you need to pay attention to the condition of the peel: if the fruit is overripe, cracks may appear on it.
Size and weight. It is best to choose the largest fruits, as they contain more pulp. In addition, it is advisable to compare them with each other: the heavier the pomegranate, the more ripe and tasty it will be, since when ripe the fruits accumulate moisture and gain weight.
Sound when tapping. It is enough to tap a ripe pomegranate with your finger to hear a faint metallic sound from the grains filled with juice. If the fruit is not yet ripe, the knock will be more dull. There should be no dents on the peel when touched - this is a sign of an overripe fruit.
Condition of the crown-sepals. It should not be green, the flowers should be completely dry. The presence of greenery indicates insufficient ripeness.
Lack of odor is a sign of a normally ripened fruit. A slight unpleasant odor indicates that the fruit has begun to rot, and it is better not to buy it. An unpleasant odor may appear due to improper storage.
Normal elasticity. If you take the fruit in your hand, it will feel pleasantly elastic and hard. If it is too soft and spots appear on the peel, it is better not to take it - these are signs of rotting. Too dry peel indicates that the fruit was picked a long time ago and has already lost its original juiciness.
Grains for testing. If you buy fruit at the market, the seller may suggest trying a few grains. It's better not to refuse - this is the best way to make sure that the purchase will be truly successful.

Basic rules for storing pomegranate

So, the product was purchased according to all the rules. What to do next? To store the fruit, you need a refrigerator or basement.

At what temperature should pomegranate be stored? The ideal range is from 1 to 10 degrees. At the same time, take into account the air humidity, it should be in the range of 65-80%. This is an indicator, since if the humidity in your basement is exceeded, the fruits will begin to rot and “will not live long”; if the humidity is low, the pomegranates will begin to dry out. If the conditions are met, pomegranate can be stored for up to 5 months. By purchasing pomegranates for the winter, you will provide your family with juicy and healthy berries. Below we will consider ways to store pomegranates: refrigerator, freezer, clay shell.

Regardless of the type of storage, sort out the fruits throughout the storage period. It is possible that you did not notice the cracks or inclusions on the pomegranate, and if you do not remove such fruit from the container, it will infect others.

In a refrigerator

Storing pomegranates in the refrigerator is a solution for city residents who do not have basements. Let's figure out how long you can store pomegranates in the refrigerator, and under what conditions:

Do not put pomegranates in plastic bags, this will lead to damage to the peel;
for longer storage time, wrap each fruit in paper, this will protect it from excess moisture in the refrigerator;
The bottom compartment of the refrigerator is best suited for storage, as this is usually the most optimal temperature.

By following the conditions, you can preserve the fruits in this way for up to 2 months.

In the freezer

You can freeze pomegranates in the freezer either as a whole or just the grains alone. Don’t worry about the quality of the product; after defrosting, the grains will retain their appearance, consistency and taste.

Proper storage

The harvest season for ripe pomegranates is October-November. This period is the best for selection and selection. Of course, for storage it is necessary to select only healthy and free fruits.

Pomegranate fruits tolerate transportation well and have good shelf life. But they can quickly lose moisture, and with it their much-appreciated juiciness, and therefore during storage it is important not to let them dry out. Good: store at high relative humidity, wrap in paper. The effect of preventing premature drying of the fruit can be enhanced by filling the “crown” of the pomegranate with a clay solution (the clay is diluted to the consistency of sour cream). After the solution has dried, the fruit is ready for storage.

During storage, the skin dries out, but the berries retain their juiciness and aroma, and unripe fruits can ripen.

Like many other subtropical fruits (kiwi, avocado, persimmon), pomegranate fruits are stored at low temperatures. The optimal temperature is about +1 degrees Celsius. In this case, the shelf life, depending on the variety, can be extended up to 9 months. You should know that sour varieties are stored much better than sweet ones, which can last up to about 5 months.

At a temperature not exceeding 10 degrees Celsius (this could be a cellar, pantry, loggia), the pomegranate will last for 2 months. It is best to store in boxes lined with paper, cardboard or other soft, moisture-absorbing material. It will be even better if you wrap each fruit in a separate paper bag.

If you want to save pomegranate seeds (for example, when the quality of the fruit is in doubt), then know that they can be successfully frozen by placing them in plastic bags.

Is it possible to ripen pomegranate at home?

No matter how much you would like, pomegranate will not be able to ripen or ripen at home under any circumstances. The berries ripen exclusively on trees. If gardeners rushed to harvest for commercial purposes and picked unripe fruits, then they will end up on store shelves.

Therefore, read the rules for choosing the right pomegranate again. Consume only ripe fruits, especially in the winter and spring months, this will protect you from colds and normalize the functioning of the digestive system.

How to care for pomegranate at home

Growing pomegranate at home is not always accompanied by flowering. This is due to errors in care and choosing a flower pot that is too large for the plant. It has been noticed that the tree throws out flower stalks when it experiences discomfort. If the diameter of the flowerpot is much wider than the volume of the root system, the pomegranate intensively grows green mass and does not bloom.

The pot should be low and narrow. Replant the young pomegranate when the roots fill the entire volume of the flowerpot. An adult indoor pomegranate (over 6 years old) cannot be transplanted. A 5-liter pot is enough for him. Every spring, change the top layer of soil in the flowerpot and regularly feed the tree.

Requirements for illumination and air humidity

The pomegranate can receive maximum natural light on the windowsill of southern windows. Towards noon, protect young bushes from direct sunlight with curtains. A mature pomegranate tree tolerates intense sun light normally. It does not bloom in the shade. In winter and cloudy weather, use lamps to illuminate the plants. Supplemental lighting is especially important for flowering and fruiting pomegranate trees.

When there is insufficient lighting, the pomegranate sheds its leaves.

If the flower has gone into hibernation, keep it in a shaded place. With the appearance of the first leaves (February - March), return the indoor flower to a well-lit windowsill. The culture does not suffer from dry air in the room if the temperature is maintained. Pomegranate likes to be sprayed with cool water (18-20°C) in the summer heat.

Temperature

During the active growing season, the optimal air temperature for homemade pomegranate is 20-25°C. In a hot, stuffy room, it sheds leaves, buds, flowers and slows down growth. In summer, it is better to take the pomegranate tree to the balcony or open veranda.

Keep the pomegranate in hibernation (from November to March) at +10-12°C.

When new buds appear, bring it back to a warm place.

The pomegranate tree should not be kept in an unheated room. The lower temperature limit for it is +6°C. Dwarf evergreen varieties do not shed their leaves, but they also need winter rest. Lowering the temperature to +16-19°C will allow the plant to enter the dormant phase and gain strength for the next growing season.

Soil composition

Homemade pomegranate is not picky about the soil, but its acidity should be neutral (7pH). A soil mixture for roses or begonias or self-prepared soil is suitable for him. Mix equal parts garden or turf soil, peat, humus or compost, and sand. A few days before use, disinfect the soil using one of the following methods:

pour generously with a 1% solution of potassium permanganate (1 g per 100 ml of water);
bake for 10 minutes in the oven at 200°C.

Watering

Indoor pomegranate needs abundant watering only when leaving the dormant phase. When the buds on the tree have swelled and you have moved the flower pot to a warm place, water it to start the life processes of the plant. When growing an evergreen variety, water it more deeply in February (March) to bring the flower out of its dormant phase. During the active growing season, the optimal watering regime is 2 times a week.

To stimulate active flowering, water the indoor tree with cool water (t +18-19°C) from April and reduce watering.

Light stress from lack of moisture prompts the plant to more actively throw out flower stalks. From May, water it as the top layer dries 2-3 cm.

Be vigilant - the appearance of brown spots on the leaves indicates that the tree is suffering from a lack of water. Tropical crops do not tolerate waterlogging. Avoid excessive watering during fruiting - this leads to cracking of the fruit. During hibernation, water the pomegranate plant when the top layer of soil dries 5 cm (2-3 times a month).

Plant nutrition

The soil in the flowerpot becomes depleted over time, so feed indoor pomegranate the day after each watering, once every 14 days except in the winter months. Feeding application scheme:

February – April . For feeding, use urea or ammonium nitrate (1.5 g per 1 liter of water). Nitrogen fertilizers contribute to the growth of green mass.
May – September . Phosphorus-containing fertilizers activate flowering and help the plant form full-fledged fruits (double superphosphate 1.5 g/l).
October November . Potassium fertilizers help strengthen the root system and increase the plant's immunity (potassium sulfate 1 g/1 l).

Is it possible to eat unripe pomegranate?

Like any other unripe species, unripe pomegranate is not recommended for consumption. People with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract should be especially careful. Pomegranates are in a niche of strong allergens, so do not overindulge.

Choosing the right pomegranate is not an easy task for an uninformed buyer, especially since sellers always try to sell a lower-quality product faster, so let’s take a closer look at how to choose a ripe pomegranate so that it is sweet and healthy for our body, and also find out whether pomegranate can ripen at home and how to quickly and easily clean it.

How to choose the right pomegranate when buying (signs of a ripe and sweet pomegranate)

Ripe pomegranates are not only very tasty and sweet, but also healthier, which is why it is so important to know how to choose them in the market and store. To make the right choice and not buy an unripe fruit, you need to know just a few useful tips and the differences between ripe fruits and “green” ones:

Appearance and color of garnet. A ripe sweet pomegranate should not have a fleshy, smooth and shiny surface (peel, rind) - this is a sign of an unripe and sour fruit. A ripe pomegranate fruit has a slightly rough, thin and dry skin, but it fits tightly to the grains. The color of the pomegranate should be pinkish (reddish), but not light brown or with an orange tint - this is a sign that the pomegranate is spoiled and has begun to rot.
When choosing a pomegranate, pay attention to its corolla (a kind of crown at the base left over from the flower); it should be dry (completely dried out), without any green sprouts.
A ripe pomegranate should feel firm to the touch and have a ribbed structure (not uniformly round). If the fruit is soft, it means it has begun to deteriorate, was not stored correctly or was frozen during storage or transportation, therefore it will be of poorer quality.
When choosing between several pomegranate fruits of the same size and similar in appearance, it is better to give preference to the heavier one, since it will be more juicy (it will not dry out so much during transportation and storage).
The grains inside a sweet and ripe pomegranate should have a rich, dark purple color. Pink and light grains are a sign of unripe fruit.

An interesting fact about pomegranate: the healthiest pomegranate fruits are grown in Turkey, as they have an optimal ratio of sugar and acids, which has a better effect on its beneficial and medicinal properties for the human body.

Is it possible to eat unripe pomegranate?

You can eat unripe pomegranate, but in small quantities, and you won’t get pleasure from it, since it will be very sour. It is always better to eat only ripe pomegranate fruits, as unripe ones can cause stomach upset (due to the high acid content in pomegranate seeds).

How to choose ripe and sweet pomegranate when buying in a store or at the market

With the onset of winter, my family and I actively rely on natural vitamins and eat a lot of fruits - apples, tangerines, pomegranates. The latter are considered one of the most useful, so they should be added to the daily diet, especially for older people and small children. The counters of markets and shops are filled with an abundance of fruit that is so dizzying that you can get confused at first. I will teach you how to choose a ripe and sweet fruit on the first try and definitely not make a mistake.

They are brought to our country from South America, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. In the Northern part of the world, the harvest begins in September and lasts until January. In Egypt, for example, the harvest ripens earlier than other countries, from about mid-September. In October, early varieties planted in Transcaucasia and Central Asia reach ripeness. In the south, the season lasts from March to May. It turns out that pomegranates are available all year round, they are just brought from different parts of the world.

The pomegranate tree is considered whimsical, but in comfortable warm conditions it bears fruit annually and lives up to 100 years.

To prevent the goods from going missing, they are often transported while still unripe. Those fruits that are almost ready to ripen are picked, and they ripen on the way to us. However, if you pick a pomegranate that is not yet ripe, it will still not have time to ripen to the end, so it will be sour and tasteless. During long-term transportation, the integrity of the fruit sometimes suffers: the skin cracks, breaks appear, and dirt gets into them, and fermentation begins. If you don’t want to run into a product of poor quality and spoil your mood, remember and use my advice in everyday life.

How to choose a ripe pomegranate without cutting it

To identify a ripe specimen, it is not necessary to cut the fruits. You need to figure out how to choose the right pomegranates without compromising the integrity of the peel. This is determined by several criteria.

By appearance of the berries

Basic markers that help you select ripe fruits:

Peel. Ripe specimens of different varieties or from different countries have different colors. Classic deep pinks and reds are complemented by reddish-brown, soft green or yellowish shades. In any case, the background of high-quality ripe specimens is distinguished by uniformity, uniformity and lack of spotting. Brown, brown spots are a sign of rot in the fruit. The skin of a ripe fruit is dry, matte and dense, reminiscent of the bark of a young tree. It looks as if it is stretched: the relief of the grains appears through it. The moisture and elasticity of the peel indicate that the fruit was picked unripe, it was ripened artificially.
Top of the head. A ripe berry has a lid on the top that is open and dry. Immature ones are green.
Pedicel. If it has been preserved, then you need to select specimens with dried, framed by dry sepals. Green, with wet or rotten fragments - defective.

If the fruits received are unripe, but without signs of spoilage, you need to let them rest.

Good fruits are free from dents or cracks.

By weight of pomegranate

The question of how to determine the ripeness of a pomegranate can be solved by its mass. For exotics, the rule works: the larger the fruit, the better. The minimum diameter of a high-quality fruit is 8-9 cm. If possible, take specimens from 10 cm. If they are ripe, they will weigh half a kilo. With equal sizes, it is better to choose a heavier specimen: this pomegranate is tastier and juicier. This is the highest quality option. In large but light fruits, the process of grain drying has begun. They don't have enough juice.

By sound

Ripe pomegranate is easy to select as follows:

lightly squeeze: in a ripened specimen, the grains crunch;
when tapped, the ripe fruit produces a ringing, “metallic” sound;
An unripe pomegranate gives itself away with a dull sound.

Pomegranates are selected for ripeness in the same way as watermelons.

Whether it is possible to eat unripe pomegranates is up to everyone to decide for themselves. This is not fatal, but unpleasant consequences are possible. It all depends on the degree of immaturity (great or not) of the fruit and the characteristics of the body. Their taste is also not for everyone.

How to choose ripe and sweet pomegranates in the store and on the market

First of all, never buy groceries hastily. While running, you can’t look at the product and have to grab what comes to hand, and when you get home you will be disappointed.

Pomegranate, like any other crop, has characteristic signs of maturity. They are expressed as follows:

thin, slightly dried skin without visible damage. There should be no mold or cracks on it. Wet and elastic skin indicates that the berry was picked prematurely;
intense brown color. The color depends on the variety grown, but most will have a reddish tint or brown;
heavy weight A fully ripened fruit will weigh at least 300 g, more often 400-500 g;
form. Don't look at perfectly round fruits; when the grains ripen, one part becomes larger than the other, so there will be asymmetry;
smell. Smell the pomegranate; if the fruit is not overripe, there will be no aroma from it. If you can clearly smell the wine, the pulp is most likely fermenting;
crown. There is always an open cup on one side of the fruit. Pay attention to its color and touch it. When mature, it will be dry and brown;
sound. Ripe berries crunch appetizingly when you press them with your fingers. This is how the grains inside crack. A dull sound indicates immaturity.

If you have assessed most of the parameters and are convinced that the fruit has reached maturity, then feel free to buy it. Otherwise, put it aside and don't waste your money.

Ways to preserve the harvest until spring

The problem of how to store pomegranate at home can be solved. The fruit is an inhabitant of the subtropics, so you need to create a “native”, soft regime for it.

Refrigerator storage

You can choose this storage method if the refrigerator provides a positive temperature (2-9°C) and a humidity of 70-75%:

Washed and dried ripe specimens should be placed in the “fruit” compartment. Under-dried pomegranates will begin to mold.
Each fruit is wrapped in parchment paper - freshness will last longer. Plastic bags, even unsealed, are not suitable. During storage, moisture will still appear inside and the pomegranates will spoil.
The presence of “neighbors,” including vegetables, does not affect the condition of exotics.

Methods for storing pomegranate in an apartment

There are several ways to store pomegranates at home. This fruit grows in the subtropics, so it needs to be provided with a gentle regime.

Fridge

To store pomegranate for a long time, the refrigerator compartment should have a humidity of 70 to 75% and a temperature within +2...+9°C.

The fruit is placed in the compartment for vegetables and fruits. If moisture is not removed from the pomegranate first, mold will begin to form on it. To prolong the freshness of the product, it should be wrapped in parchment paper.

In such conditions, the berry can be stored for about 2-3 months. The peeled fruit can be stored for no longer than 2 weeks.

Freezer

Using this method, you can achieve maximum shelf life of fruit in the apartment. The freezer can preserve the properties of pomegranate for 12 months. In order to freeze, the fruits should be peeled and cut into slices. If the fruit is unripe, then you must first wait for the pomegranate to ripen. It is recommended to defrost the berries at room temperature.

The disadvantage of this method is the partial loss of vitamins in the products. To store frozen pomegranate seeds, it is better to use vacuum bags.

Clay for preserving fruits

If there is no cold cellar or refrigerator, the product can be stored in a heated room. For this purpose, ordinary white clay is used. It can be purchased at a hardware store or pharmacy. Preparation for storage is carried out according to the following scheme:

The clay must first be calcined over a fire or in the oven.
After this, the substance must be diluted with slightly heated water until a paste-like consistency is obtained.
Washed and dried pomegranates are placed into the mixture with the upper end on which the “crown” is located. They are then removed and left to dry. If the clay coating is not thick enough, the procedure should be repeated.
After the layer has dried, it is necessary to fill the “crowns” of the pomegranates with clay mortar.
The dried fruits are placed in a cardboard box or wooden box, and then covered with cardboard or natural fabric.

The product is stored in a “cocoon” made of white clay for about 6 months. This method is great for storing unripe pomegranates. However, you must first make sure that there are no dents, cracks or other defects.

Balcony, loggia

You can also store ripe fruits on the balcony. To do this, you should adhere to the following scheme of actions:

A fabric is placed at the bottom of the box or drawer, which effectively absorbs moisture.
Each pomegranate must be wrapped in parchment paper.
Fruits can be laid only in 1-2 layers.
Then a sheet of cardboard or other material that does not transmit light is placed on the fruit.

With this method, pomegranate is stored for no longer than 2-2.5 months.

How to select and store pomegranate: general rules

The choice and method of storing pomegranates is determined by the variety, degree of ripeness and initial conditions of the fruit. General principles to consider:

To store for the winter, you need to select only selected ones - undamaged, dry, “woody” specimens.
Fruits with a soft or moist crust are pre-dried.
Optimal storage conditions for exotics: temperature above zero, maximum 10°C, humidity 60-70%. Illumination and humidity when storing fruits should be selected at medium levels. In twilight, pomegranates feel more comfortable than in bright light or pitch darkness. At high humidity they will rot, at low humidity they will dry out.
To store fruits in the basement, apartment, or on the balcony, wooden, cardboard or plastic containers are used. You should choose not a “solid” one, but a ventilated one, with holes.
It is necessary to regularly inspect the backing of the container: if it becomes moist or looks suspicious, replace it with a new one.
Each fruit is wrapped in paper. It is better to choose regular or baking parchment. They will absorb excess moisture. Sheets with printing ink (newspaper or magazine gloss) are not suitable: the ink will saturate the peel.
The stock must be sorted regularly, removing spoiled specimens. Otherwise, the “epidemic” will affect other fruits. Selected spoiled pomegranates are processed immediately, separating the grains suitable for consumption from the total mass.
If only the peel is spoiled, the grains are reconsidered and filled into a plastic bag or plastic container. The container must be closed and placed in the freezer. Quick-frozen ripe grains can be stored for up to a year.

The shelf life is affected by the type of pomegranate. Sour specimens should be chosen if they are to be stored for 8-9 months. Sweet pomegranate remains fresh for six months.

Conclusion

Supermarkets or markets sell pomegranates even in cold weather. But interruptions happen. In order not to take risks, it is wise to stock up on ripe exotics at least for the duration of the cold weather. Especially New Year and Christmas holidays.

For purchasing for long-term storage, it is better to choose the second half of November. This is the harvest season from Azerbaijan and other traditional suppliers - Central Asian countries. From there, transportation does not take much time, so the quality of the fruit is excellent.