Pomegranate trees need plenty of heat to grow and ripen fruit. Most pomegranates grown in the United States come from California and are in season from the end of September through November.
What month is pomegranate in season?
Pomegranate harvest season usually runs from mid-September through to late December or even early January in some regions of North America. What is this? If you’re growing your own pomegranate tree, you can expect ripe fruits 6 to 7 months after flowering.
What time of year can you buy pomegranate?
Now is the time to buy pomegranates. Though some varieties are harvested in late summer, the Wonderful variety, which makes up about 80 percent of the U.S. crop, is in season from October through January.
Where are most pomegranates grown in California?
Our land is located in the Southern Westside of the San Joaquin Valley in Central California. This area is known as the best location to grow California Pomegranates.
How long does pomegranate season last?
Fresh pomegranates are in season from the end of September through November; however, you can often find them out of season at your local grocery store or farmers’ market. When selecting a pomegranate, look for three main characteristics: 1. Shape: As a pomegranate ripens, the shape of the fruit changes.
Are pomegranates good for you?
Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, both of which are known to prevent free radicals from damaging your cells. In some studies, pomegranates show potential to be effective in preventing prostate, breast, lung, and colon cancers.
How do I tell if a pomegranate is ripe?
Skin on pomegranate fruits shifts from being smooth and hard to slightly rough and softer as they ripen. Skin on ripe fruits should be easy to scratch with a fingernail. Mature fruits often crack as arils swell or in response to rain and high humidity. Mature fruits with any skin cracking are usually ready for harvest.
Should pomegranates be refrigerated?
Do look for deep color though. How to store: Pomegranates should be refrigerated; they’ll last at least three to four weeks. Once they’ve been seeded, the seeds also can be frozen in a tightly sealed bag.
How long do pomegranates last in the fridge?
A: In their protective skin, pomegranates can last for up to two weeks at room temperature and up to two months in the fridge. Pomegranate seeds in an airtight container in the refrigerator should be used within five days, and frozen pomegranate seeds should be used within three months.
Where does POM get their pomegranates?
POM is the first premium, natural pomegranate juice made exclusively from California Wonderful pomegranates. Growing in the U.S.A. means we are held to some of the highest agricultural standards in the world.
Do pomegranates grow well in California?
In California, the most satisfactory areas for growing pomegranates are in interior valleys where hot dry summers mature fruit with good color and flavor. The tree grows well in a wide range of climatic conditions.
Are pomegranates native to California?
Native to Persia and the Himalayas of Northern India, and cultivated since the Early Bronze Age, the much-revered pomegranate (Punica granatum, Zones 7–11) arrived in California in 1769 with Spanish colonizers.
Can I buy pomegranates year round?
Most pomegranates grown in the United States come from California and are in season from the end of September through November. Luckily, they store well and are often available through December and even into January some years.
What color is a ripe pomegranate?
deep red
That said, if you’re plucking fruit from the tree, it’s good to know that a truly unripe pomegranate will have some green on it, whereas a fruit that’s ripe and ready to pick will be uniformly medium to deep red in color.
Can you freeze a whole pomegranate?
Yes, you can freeze either the whole pomegranate or the seeds. Freezing and thawing will soften the seeds, so they won’t have the crunch of fresh seeds. But they’ll be good for juicing.
Who should not eat pomegranate?
Look for 100% juice with no added sugar. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor before drinking fruit juices, including pomegranate. If you have diarrhea, do not drink pomegranate juice or take pomegranate extract. Pregnant women should not take pomegranate extract because it may contain fruit rind.
What medications do pomegranates interfere with?
Taking pomegranate juice along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others.
What are the disadvantages of pomegranate?
The excessive consumption of pomegranate may cause many disorders, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea in some people. As per anecdotal evidence, excessive intake of this fruit may also irritate the gastrointestinal tract.
What part of the pomegranate do you eat?
seeds
Note that small scratches on the skin won’t affect the inside. Only eat the seeds. Though the white, pithy part is safe to eat, it’s bitter and most people choose to discard it. The skin is technically edible as well but generally used in extract and powdered forms.
Do pomegranates ripen after they are picked?
The fruit does not continue to ripen after harvest and should be picked when fully ripe for best eating quality. The fruit is ready for harvest if it makes a metallic sound when tapped. Certain environmental conditions can cause pomegranate fruit to crack open, including rain, wind, and insufficient irrigation.
Can you eat an unripe pomegranate?
Unripe pomegranates can be used in many food dishes, drinks and recipes. Unripe pomegranates can be used to produce pomegranate juice, fruit salads, smoothies, baked dishes and added to other food.