Pomegranate is a versatile and nutritious fruit with many health benefits.; it is tasty, works amazingly on the skin, and whatnot! It has a lot of different nutrients in it. But it can be a little tricky to buy ripe pomegranates without opening them, and the colour of the pomegranates can help us with that. The dark-coloured pomegranates are also better because they are sweet and fleshy on the inside. Pomegranates are available in colours from light red to dark red.
1. Nutritive Value of a Pomegranate
The best time to eat a pomegranate is in the morning because it provides us with the most nutrients at that time of the day. You might have seen people suggesting eating one pomegranate each day if they have low hemoglobin levels.
Pomegranates can help you gain more red blood cells if you have a low hemoglobin level, they are known for fighting infections that come into our bodies.
Pomegranates are rich in fibre and can keep your stomach in check. They are also an excellent source of vitamin C because they keep our skin healthy and smooth. It has some other nutrients, too, like vitamin B12, and it is essential for our overall health along with our bone health.
2. Different Methods to Know When a Pomegranate is Ripe
When buying fruits, it is important to buy ripe ones to save money and resources. There are many different ways available to know if a fruit is ripe or not, and in this section, we will mainly focus on the ways to know when a pomegranate is ripe and safe to consume.
2.1. Observing the Color of a Pomegranate
The colour can tell a lot when it comes to the fruits, so while buying pomegranates, keenly observe the colour of the pomegranates. When the pomegranates are light red, it means they are still unripe, and some time is needed for them to get ripe. If you want to store them for some time then buy them, otherwise, leave those pomegranates.
If the pomegranates have a dark red color then it is safe to say they are ready to eat and we can instantly consume them. The pomegranate dark red in color makes the juice very sweet and delicious. However, don’t keep the juice out for too long because it is better to consume the fruit juice right after you make it.
2.2. Observe the Shape of the Pomegranates
Some people might think that the rounder the pomegranate, the better, but this is not the case here. If the pomegranates are perfectly round, they are unripe, and the seeds inside them are still not ready to eat.
When a pomegranate is unripe, the seeds inside are light in weight and loosely packed, which causes the skin of the pomegranate to take a perfectly round shape. If you want ripe pomegranates, then look for pomegranates with a square shape more than round ones. You can figure out this by feeling the skin of the pomegranates with your fingers.
2.3. Observe the Weight of a Pomegranate
We can say this is the best way to tell when a pomegranate is ripe. When you choose pomegranates that are lighter in weight, it means that they have less juice in them. If the seeds inside the pomegranates have more flesh on them, they will have more juice, and they will weigh heavier. If you want to buy ripe pomegranates, then choose the heavier ones.
You can also choose the machine available in the store to weigh each pomegranate separately. If you don’t want to do that then simply compare the weight of one pomegranate with the other one. You can use all the methods together to know if a pomegranate is ripe or not. It can be very beneficial for our pocket and will prevent us from wasting money on unripe fruits.
2.4. Fingernail Test
This method can help you with almost all the fruits with skin. In this method, you must use your fingernail to scratch the pomegranate (don’t scratch it with pressure, or you might break your nail). When the skin starts to come off when you scratch it, the pomegranate is still unripe. If the pomegranate has leathery skin and it is hard to scratch it quickly, it would mean that the pomegranate is ripe now, and you can eat it now.
If you have a pomegranate tree of your own then also it doesn’t mean that all the pomegranates will taste the same or they will be ready at the same time, different pomegranates have different tastes. Some are sweet, and some are a little sore, it is best always to check using the above methods whether the pomegranates are ripe or unripe.
3. The Correct Way to Store Pomegranates
It is super important to store your fruits so they don’t catch any germs or get contaminated. If you are buying perfectly ripe pomegranates then keep them in the fridge all the time. But if you bought some unripe and some ripe pomegranates to make them last longer, then you can keep them outside your fridge. In this case, wash them before eating them.
If you have a busy schedule and can’t spend a lot of time peeling a pomegranate every time you want to eat, you can prepare it beforehand. Take the seeds out of the pomegranates and put them in the airtight containers. Don’t forget to put the boxes in the fridge unless they will get bad quickly.
4. The Right Way to Wash Pomegranates
It is essential to wash your fruits carefully because they can have a lot of germs and pesticides on their skin. Use your hands while washing them under fresh water, there are many different products available in the market to help us take care of our fruits and one is fruit detergent.
Take some water in a bowl, add some fruit detergent to it, and stir it until it dissolves. Now, add the pomegranates to the bowl and wash them thoroughly. Once you are done with that, put your pomegranates in a strainer and rinse them under tap water. Dry them with the help of a paper towel and store them in a box.
Key Takeaway
Pomegranates are healthy for everyone, and adding these to your diet will work wonders on your skin, gut, and bone health. However, keep in mind the points mentioned above to know if the pomegranate is ripe for safe consumption.
Last Updated on by Arnab