How to Pick Pomegranates

A pomegranate is a large red fruit with a hard outer shell filled with dozens of delicious seeds. The pomegranate tree, which originated in the Middle East, was brought to California in the mid 1700s. Eating pomegranates is messy—a delight for children. Harvesting pomegranates are quite easy to do.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Apron
• Gloves
• 5 gallon bucket

1. Wear gloves and an apron before harvesting as Pomegranate juice stains clothing and hands and is very difficult to remove. Fully mature pomegranate trees produce fruit that is ripe in the fall, approximately mid-August to January. Ripe fruit will have a deep red color. Pick a pomegranate, cut the crown (top) off the fruit and cut in half with a sharp knife and seeds should be shiny red and have a lot of juice.

2. Pick the fruit from the tree and not from the ground. Fruit on the ground will possibly be too ripe and mushy. Do not pick any pomegranate that is not very firm. A ripe pomegranate has a leather-like texture to the outer shell of the fruit.

3. Pick as many pomegranates as desired. Storing pomegranates is an additional consideration for a large harvest. This is an excellent option for those that will use the pomegranates as needed.

4. Place unused pomegranates in a single layer on a shelf in a cool dry area. Additionally, tie the stems with strings and hang from the ceiling as an alternative storage option. Pomegranates stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to five days. Freeze pomegranates for up to one year before use if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• The pomegranate has many uses in cooking. It is used in garnishes, jellies, ice cream topping, salads and drinks. The pomegranate tree is best suited to the southwest area of the country due to its tolerance for drought along with hot, dry conditions.
• Home decor includes pomegranates as well. Dried pomegranates are found quite frequently in wreaths, potpourri and candles.
• Health studies in 2002 discovered the beneficial qualities of the pomegranate. It found that the pomegranate was high in antioxidant in a class that helps prevent strokes and cancer, and a surge in pomegranate popularity ensued.

Resources

• eHow home and garden topic guide
• Nutritional Value
• Pomegranate Recipes

[txconejo]

on 11/5/2009 Thank you. I will give it a go