How should pomegranates be stored?
What is the proper way to store a pomegranate? How long can they be stored for at room temperature?
Would refrigerating pomegranates cause any problems (I'm a little worried about the fridge getting slightly to cold, freezing the seeds and ruining the fruit).
Best Answer
According to this page:
Whole fruits can be stored for a month in a cool, dry area, or refrigerated up to two months. The seed pips can be frozen in an airtight bag up to one year. Fresh juice should be refrigerated and used within two to three days.
In my experience in a very dry climate (Colorado) after a couple weeks the skins become desiccated and very hard—you need to saw through them with a serrated knife—but the seeds are still mostly unaffected. They will shrink somewhat, but still remain unspoiled and flavorful.
However, if you refrigerate them, ensure that you do not let them get too cold. According to this page:
[…] exposure to temperatures below 5°C (41°F) during storage and transport for longer than 4 weeks is a major cause of deterioration […]
The minimum safe storage temperature is 5°C (41°F) for up to 8 weeks, if decay is not a problem. For longer storage, the temperature should be at 7°C (45°F) to avoid chilling injury, but decay […] and weight loss may become a limitation.
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Do pomegranates last longer in the fridge or out?
At room temperature, the shelf life of pomegranate is about one to two weeks, whereas, in the fridge, they can last for up to two months.How do you store pomegranates in the fridge?
Generally, the best way to store pomegranate is in the fridge. A whole pomegranate will stay at its best for around one month in the fridge, and doesn't need to be wrapped. Pomegranate seeds will last about a week in the fridge and should be kept in a tightly-sealed container.Do pomegranates seeds need to be refrigerated?
When it comes to pomegranate seeds, they require refrigeration. Put them in a food-safe container, possibly airtight. That last part is so that the pomegranate arils don't pick up any smells from the refrigerator.Should fresh pomegranates be refrigerated?
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 to Store Pomegranate Seeds
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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