How Long Do Pomegranates Last?
Whole pomegranates can last for up to 1 month if stored at normal room temperature and up to 2 months if kept in the refrigerator. However, pomegranate seeds can go fresh for up to 6 to 8 days in the refrigerator and up to 1 year in the freezer.
Of course, you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your fruit, so we’ll take a look at how to store a pomegranate, how long it lasts, and how to tell if a pomegranate has gone bad. Now that you know all about shelf life, let’s talk about how to care for pomegranates so they last longer. How long your pomegranates will keep quality depends on how many days they were in the supermarket before buying. As I said, pomegranates last a long time, so you should be able to sort through your stash easily before the fruit breaks.
By the way, if you are interested in Can You Freeze Jambalaya, check out my article on that.
If you want to freeze pomegranate seeds older than three months, freeze only one cup (140 grams) per batch, as freezing whole or most fruits can affect their quality over time. If you receive a pomegranate as a gift, it’s worth storing the seeds in an airtight container. The seeds freeze well, and if you freeze them first (as I mentioned in the instructions below), you can easily grab a tablespoon or two when you need them. If you’re not going to eat the seeds for a few days, you can extend their freshness by storing them in the refrigerator.
Once the pomegranate seeds have been removed and stored in a container in the refrigerator, they will also keep for 1-2 weeks. Pomegranate seeds keep at room temperature for 4 to 6 months before spoiling if you store them properly in the right conditions needed on the counter. You can put them in the refrigerator, but it is not recommended to store pomegranate seeds at room temperature, as they can deteriorate much faster and lose some of their beneficial properties. You can store ripe, whole pomegranates at room temperature by laying them out on a counter or shelf, or by hanging them on strings out of direct sunlight.
If you find yourself with fresh, whole, ripe pomegranates, you may be wondering how to keep them fresh. A carefully cared for bunch of pomegranate can bring you joy and benefit for several weeks from the date of purchase, if you know how to properly store pomegranates. Refrigerating a pomegranate instead of leaving it on the counter or in your fruit basket can help keep it fresher for longer. When stored in the refrigerator, the shelf life of pomegranate fruits is greatly extended, so that they are edible for up to three months.
| Pomegranates | Keeping time |
| In the refrigerator without packaging | Keep for a month |
| In the refrigerator in plastic bags | Keep for up to 3 months |
| At room temperature | Keep for 1 to 2 weeks |
| In the freezer | Keep for up to 2 to 3 months |
If you store pomegranates on the counter at room temperature, it will last 1-2 weeks before going bad. A whole pomegranate is best stored in the refrigerator for about a month without packaging. A whole pomegranate can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two months, although that also depends on how long it has been unrefrigerated in the grocery section of the grocery store before buying. Pomegranates can be kept for up to two months ([UOC]) at standard refrigerator temperatures of 41 degrees Fahrenheit (or 5 degrees Celsius).
If you keep the pomegranate at room temperature, this time will be reduced to about one and a half to two weeks. Preserving them means storing them in the refrigerator for about 5 to 7 days (shorter shelf life at lower temperatures) or freezing them for up to 2 to 3 months. Pomegranates can be stored whole, wrapped loosely in plastic bags, and refrigerated for up to three months.
Usually pink or red, they have a hard outer shell that protects the many membrane-covered seeds that make up the edible part of the fruit. There may be some natural color variation (from yellow to orange), but pomegranate seeds are only considered edible if they are not browned. Not only can you get juice like any other fruit; you can also get seeds in pomegranates.
For example, pomegranate juice can also be extracted from juice pouches and frozen for later use. Pomegranates are usually eaten raw, but they can also be used as an ingredient in drinks such as fruit salads or smoothies. Pomegranate jelly and pomegranate jam are easy to make and keep for months.
To find the perfect pomegranate in the store, you can select a pomegranate based on visual and tactile cues. When choosing a pomegranate at the grocery store, don’t pick one that has an invigorating deep red hue; instead, choose grenades that feel heavy for their size.
Look for fleshy, round fruits that are rich in fresh color and heavy for their size – a lighter pomegranate means the seeds are low in juice. The heavier the pomegranate, the more likely it is to hold on to more seeds and therefore the juicer. You can find pomegranates with good and bad seeds – it’s perfectly safe to eat the red seeds and throw away the brown ones.
Once the whole pomegranate is opened and the seeds are removed, the pomegranate will begin to rot. Pomegranates stop ripening as soon as they are picked, but if you leave them on the tree until they are overripe, they will crack and lose their flavor. Due to its high acidity and moisture content, pomegranate is relatively susceptible to bacterial contamination if stored improperly or left on the table for too long.
To learn about What Do Plums Taste Like, check out my article where I cover everything you need to know.
So you can keep the pomegranate in a bowl of water, or drain the water and use it as you please for snacks or in recipes. To prolong the freshness of your pomegranates, remove any remaining pulp before setting them aside, unless the fruit slices are moldy. Frozen pomegranate seeds will retain their freshness and quality for 2-3 months before spoiling if properly stored in the freezer under the right conditions.
How do you know if pomegranates have gone bad?
If the seeds of pomegranates have begun to deteriorate, they have gone bad and will soon turn black or brown and mushy. They’re also unsuitable if they smell like nail polish remover or alcohol, which is caused by yeasts breaking down the fruit’s carbohydrates.
How long do pomegranates last on the counter?
As soon as you remove the seeds from a full pomegranate, these exquisite ruby red diamonds begin to go bad. A pomegranate that hasn’t been opened can last up to a month at ambient temperature or 2 months in the freezer.