What is Pomegranate?

Pomegranates are shrub-grown fruits grown throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean region.  A pomegranate is round and typically red or reddish-brown in color.  The inside of a pomegranate is both juicy and crunchy.  Pomegranate can be found fresh, frozen, dried, or in juice form. 

What Does Pomegranate Taste Like?

Pomegranate seeds vary in their sourness, depending on ripeness, though some may taste sweet.  Pomegranate is similar to sour cherries when ripe.

How Do You Eat Pomegranate?

The seeds are the only edible part of the pomegranate.  Separate the skin and pulp from the seeds to eat.  Pomegranate is eaten raw, cooked, juiced, or dried.  Pomegranate is often sprinkled over salads or added into meat or pasta dishes.  Pomegranate juice adds a tang to smoothies, but it is also consumed on its own.  Dried pomegranate is added to muffins, cakes, pies, and as a topping for yogurt.  Some pomegranate seeds are candied or covered in chocolate.

Where Can You Buy Pomegranate?

Fresh pomegranates can be found in the produce section of the grocery store from late fall to early spring.  Frozen pomegranate seeds are located in the frozen food aisle year-round in the grocery store.  Dried pomegranate seeds are usually found in the dried fruits and nuts aisle or in the health food aisle.  Pomegranate juice is located in the produce aisle with the chilled beverages and juices or in the fruit juice aisle.

How Do You Store Pomegranate?

Fresh whole pomegranate can be stored in the refrigerator and can last for up to a month.  If the seeds have been removed, the seeds should be stored in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator.

Fun Fact About Pomegranate

Pomegranates can have anywhere from 200 to over 1,400 seeds.

Did You Know?

Pomegranate is a natural red dye.

Recipes Using Pomegranates

Pasta Salad

Make a bright pasta salad with pomegranate seeds. Cook, drained, and cool shaped pasta. Combine pasta with pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, and diced roasted chicken. Make a dressing out of olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano and toss with the salad.

Strawberry Smoothie

Use pomegranate juice to create a delicious smoothie. Place pomegranate juice, maple syrup, half an avocado, strawberries, and vanilla yogurt in a blender. Blend until smooth and serve in glasses.

Oatmeal Cookies

Make delicious pomegranate cookies by using your favorite oatmeal raisin recipe! Replace raisins with drained pomegranate seeds and fold in white chocolate chips. Spoon cookie dough on a baking sheet and baking until the edges turn lightly golden.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Upgrade your chicken salad recipe. In a large bowl, mix cooked diced chicken, mayonnaise, drained pomegranate seeds, lemon juice, salt, pepper, chopped celery, and diced green onions. For extra flavor, stir in fresh dill. Serve over crusty bread.

Pomegranate Chutney

Create a tangy chutney with pomegranates. Combine pomegranate seeds, pomegranate juice, red onions, ginger, cinnamon, garlic, and salt in a saucepan. Simmer ingredients until the onions soften and the sauce reduces.

Watch Our How-To Video

Watch Our Video About How To Easily Open A Pomegranate