Pomegranates are one of those fruits that many folks have never had the pleasure of tasting but may be familiar with their name because of Greek mythology.
If you have never eaten one, they are quite fascinating at first glance (upon cracking it open). The inside appears to be clusters of juicy berries. They are eaten raw, cooked, dried, and used as ingredients in countless dishes and drinks.
Read on below, where we discuss whether or not pomegranates continue to ripen after being picked.
Do Pomegranates Ripen After Being Picked?
Pomegranates do not continue to ripen after they are picked. That means you should wait until August to harvest them or you will be stuck with unripe fruit. Tap the side of each pomegranate, if they give off a slightly metallic sound they are ripe.
How Do You Ripen a Pomegranate?
Pomegranates aren’t known for ripening after they are picked. So, you need to leave them on the tree until they are ready. Likewise, if purchasing them from the store, you need to double-check and only buy fruit that is ripe. Unfortunately, the good old brown paper bag trick doesn’t yield much of any results on pomegranates.
How to Tell if a Pomegranate is Ripe?
The skin of a ripe pomegranate should be hard and smooth but may have a slightly rough feel to it. If you can scratch the top layer of the skin off with your fingernail, the fruit is more than likely ripe. You may also notice swollen or cracked areas of the skin, which are more signs that the pomegranate is ripe.
Is Unripe Pomegranate Edible?
If you’re stuck with unripe pomegranate (whether it was picked too early, or it was purchased) it is still edible if used properly. Mainly, unripe pomegranate is used for smoothies, juice, and baked dishes.
Is Ripe Pomegranate Sour?
If your pomegranate seems a little sour, give it a closer look because it might actually not be. Ripe pomegranates have a bit of a sour taste, though they should also have a sweetness similar to grapes. That said, ripe pomegranates are not as sweet as other ripe fruits.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
