How to Dry Pomegranates

Knowing how to properly dry fresh pomegranates is an important first step in using them for lasting, seasonal decorations and dried floral arrangements. In spite of being among the more succulent fruits, pomegranates tend to dehydrate well when prepared correctly. Drying pomegranates is very simple. The hardest part of the process is being patient enough to allow the fruit to dry completely. That usually takes several weeks, but it is well worth the wait. If you are making a dried arrangement for a specific holiday, begin well in advance for the best results. Once they are dry, you can add the pomegranates to your home's decor or decorate them for a more formal effect. Dried pomegranates will keep for several years with proper care.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Fresh pomegranates
• Toothpick or pin
• Wire rack or baking sheet lined with wax paper
• Metallic gold or silver spray paint (optional)

1. Select whole, fresh pomegranates that are smooth and firm. Make sure there is no sponginess or bruising on the rinds.

2. Puncture the rind multiple times with a sharp toothpick or a pin. The finished result will be more attractive if this is done in vertical and parallel patterns, rather than in a random fashion.

3. Place the pomegranates on a wire rack, and allow them to air dry for three weeks or more. If you do not have a rack, lay them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. If you choose this method, be sure to turn the fruit over every two to three days to ensure that the pomegranates dry evenly. Once dry, the fruits should be about one-third their original size and more brownish pink than red. They should also feel very light.

4. Place the dried pomegranates in a bowl with pinecones, nuts, apples and evergreen branches for decoration. For a more festive look, gild the pomegranates with metallic gold (or silver) spray paint. The gilded pomegranates will stand out among the natural colors of the other items in the decorative bowl.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have access to one, use a large food dehydrator (often found in natural food stores) to help dry the pierced pomegranates. They will dry uniformly and in a fraction of the time they would take to air dry. Check the manufacturer's recommendations. Permit your creativity to flow as you explore different ways to showcase your dried pomegranates around your home. Attach your dried pomegranates to an ornamental evergreen wreath with floral wire for decor that will be appropriate from late September through early January.

• Avoid piercing the rind in a way that places the holes too close together, as this may cause the fruit to split. It isn't necessary to pierce deeply. The outside covering of the pomegranate is thin and easily broken. If you handle the pomegranate too roughly while piercing, it will begin to release its juices, delaying the drying process. Dried pomegranates are more fragile than their fresh versions. Avoid allowing them to be crushed or broken when stored between holidays. Several of them can be placed together in a large mason jar.

Resources

• Pomegranate recipes