How to Store Pomegranates (Fresh, Frozen, Juice, Jam and +)

You can store a fresh pomegranate at room temperature for 3 or 5 days. You can extend its shelf life for 1-3 months if you refrigerate it, but if you freeze, it will last for 10 or 12 months.

Next, I explain how to preserve the pomegranate in the right way.

How to keep pomegranate at room temperature

Before explaining how to store the pomegranate at room temperature, you must first learn how to select it because its state will significantly influence its conservation period.

Depending on the type of pomegranate, its peel can have a red, yellowish, or pink hue. Choose pomegranates with a shiny, seamless crust; the heavier the pomegranate, the better, as it will have more juice.

Discard pomegranates that are too light for their size, and you should not buy pomegranates with opaque and dark skin or are watery; you can check the latter by squeezing the pomegranate with your hands to find soft areas.

Now that you know how to choose the pomegranates, you can leave them in a place where the light does not hit you directly, that is free of moisture and fresh.

Put the pomegranates in a basket or container and cover them with a clean dishcloth. In this way, the pomegranates can be between 3 and 5 days at room temperature. [1]

How to store pomegranates in the fridge

A better way to preserve pomegranates, especially in an extremely hot place, is to keep pomegranates in the fridge. If they are whole, you can pass a cloth or a kitchen towel to remove some of the dirt they may have on them.

Then, put the pomegranates in a bag, write the storage date on it, and place them in the vegetable storage compartment or a cool part of your refrigerator.

In this way, the pomegranates will be kept refrigerated for 1 to 3 months, but if you only want to keep the seeds of the pomegranate, you should proceed as follows:

Step 1: Chop the pomegranate into quarters.

With a sharp knife, carefully cut the pomegranate into quarters. Or, you can cut the bottom to expose the membranes that the pomegranate has and guide yourself through them to make the cuts.

Step 2: Extract the seeds from the pomegranate.

Fill a large bowl or bowl with water, put the pomegranate pieces inside, and gently remove the seeds from the pomegranate using your thumbs or fingers. In this way, you do not risk staining because the stains left by the pomegranate are challenging to remove.

Step 3: Strain and dry the pomegranate seeds.

When you have entirely separated the seeds from the membranes of the pomegranate, strain them and then put them on a clean dishcloth or absorbent paper to dry them.

Step 4: Transfer the pomegranate seeds to an airtight container.

Now pass the fruit to an airtight container or bag, which must be dry.

Step 5: Store the pomegranate seeds in the fridge.

Place the seeds in the coldest part of your refrigerator so that the pomegranate seeds can be inside the fridge for a week.

How to freeze the pomegranate

To freeze the pomegranate, follow the next steps:

Step 1: Chop the pomegranate into quarters.

With a sharp knife, cut the pomegranate into quarters carefully. Or, you can cut the bottom to expose the membranes that the pomegranate has and guide yourself with them to make the cuts.

Step 2: Extract the seeds from the pomegranate.

In a bowl or large bowl with water, throw the pieces of pomegranates, and with your thumbs or fingers, remove the seeds of the pomegranate, so you will not run the risk of staining since the pomegranate causes stains challenging to remove.

Step 3: Strain and dry the pomegranate seeds.

When you have entirely separated the seeds from the membranes of the pomegranate, strain them and then dry them with a clean dishcloth or absorbent paper.

Step 4: Freeze the pomegranate seeds.

Spread the pomegranate seeds on a tray with waxed paper, put them apart so they do not stick together, and freeze for 4 or 6 hours.

Step 5: Transfer the frozen seeds to a bag or container.

Transfer frozen seeds to a freezer-resistant bag or container that can be tightly closed.

Step 6: Enter the storage date.

Place the storage date on the bag, or label the container. You can also tape and, on top of it, place the storage date.

Step 7: Store the pomegranate in the freezer.

You can store the frozen pomegranates for 10 to 12 months. To defrost them, you can leave them at room temperature for a while or transfer them to the fridge one night before.

If you thaw the pomegranates in the fridge, they can be for 2 or 3 more days, but you can not refreeze them, so only thaw the portion you need.

How to preserve pomegranate juice

The delicious pomegranate juice can be stored in two ways: the first and most straightforward is to store the pomegranate juice in the fridge, without ice, so that the juice does not end up diluted in a container with a lid. Pomegranate juice can be five days in the fridge.

The second option is to freeze it as follows:

Step 1: Pour the pomegranate juice into a sturdy bag or container.

Please do not fill the bag or container because it will need room to expand when the juice freezes. Or you can pour pomegranate juice into molds to make ice cubes.

Freeze the juice in a bag or mold for 4 or 6 hours, then pass or unmold the frozen juice and place them in a freezer-resistant bag or container.

Step 2: Set the date of preparation of the pomegranate juice.

Write the storage date on the bag or container, put it on a label, or place the date on top of a piece of tape that you stuck to the container.

Step 3: Store the pomegranate juice in the freezer.

In this way, the pomegranate juice will remain frozen for a year. When you want to thaw it, transfer the pomegranate juice to the fridge the night before, where you can keep it for three more days.

If you thaw the pomegranate juice in the fridge, you can refreeze it as many times as you want, but you should know that its flavor will diminish each time.

On the other hand, if you thaw pomegranate juice at room temperature, you can’t store it in the fridge or freezer again; you have to drink it the same day.

How to make and store pomegranate jam

With the pomegranate, you can prepare a rich jam; you will only need a kilo of pomegranate seeds, 400 grams of sugar, and the juice of one lemon.

Step 1: Cut the pomegranate into quarters.

Chop the pomegranates into quarters using a sharp knife. Or you can cut the bottom of the pomegranate and chop it following the inner membranes.

Step 2: Extract the seeds from the pomegranate.

Pour the pomegranate pieces into a bowl or large bowl of water and, with your thumbs, gently remove the seeds, so you will not get stained.

Step 3: Prepare the pomegranate jam.

Add the seeds, sugar, and juice to a thick-bottomed pot, and cook over medium-high heat until boiling. At this point, liquefy the contents and then strain them to remove the seeds. Cook again over medium heat until halved and thickened.

Step 3: Transfer the pomegranate jam to a jar.

Transfer the jam when it is cold to glass jars or jars with screw caps or airtight, which must have been sterilized before (boil in water for 10 minutes), and should already be dry.

Do not fill the jar with pomegranate jam; leave one finger of free space.

Step 4: Vacuum-seal the pomegranate jam.

For this step, you must use a pot higher than the jars. At the bottom, put a cloth or grid to prevent the jars from colliding with each other or the pot.

Then, add water to cover the jars, turn on the fire to the maximum, and when it boils, lower it, and cook for 20 or 30 minutes so that the emptying takes place.

After the stipulated time, please turn off the kitchen and wait for the water to cool before removing the jars and placing them in a shaded part for 6 hours or until the jars feel cold.

Step 5: Set the date of preparation of the jam.

Write the preparation date on a label and then attach it to the bottle. You can also stick a piece of paper with the date.

Step 6: Save the pomegranate jam.

If the climate never exceeds 77°F (25°C) where you live, you can store the sealed jar with pomegranate jam in a dark, cool, and dry area. Thus, you can keep pomegranate jam at room temperature for 10 or 12 months.

After opening the jar, the pomegranate jam may be at room temperature for 3 to 4 months.

If the temperature exceeds 77°F (25°C), it will be better to store the jar of pomegranate jam uncovered for 12 to 18 months inside the refrigerator, and it will resist for six months when you open it.

Another storage option that you have available is

to freeze the pomegranate jam, you should not vacuum seal it since you must put it in a resistant airtight bag or container.

Pomegranate jam can last 2 to 5 years in the freezer.

How to make and store pomegranate syrup

This syrup or syrup is usually used in several recipes and serves to take advantage of pomegranates and thus keep them, in a way, for quite some time.

Step 1: Chop the pomegranate into quarters.

Chop the pomegranates into quarters with a sharp knife, or cut the bottom of the pomegranate and chop it following the inner membranes.

Step 2: Remove the seeds from the pomegranate.

In a bowl or large bowl with water, add the pieces of pomegranate, and with your thumbs, remove the seeds delicately, so you will not run the risk of staining.

Step 3: Extract the juice from the pomegranate.

You can crush the seeds in a bowl using a crusher, or you could liquefy the seeds of the pomegranate, then proceed to strain the juice.

Step 4: Prepare the pomegranate syrup.

If you take out 800 milliliters of pomegranate juice, then you should add 400 grams of sugar and the juice of one lemon. Cook over high heat until it starts to boil, then put the heat to a minimum and cook until a third of the contents are reduced.

When pomegranate syrup cools, it should have a consistency similar to honey.

Step 5: Transfer the pomegranate syrup to an airtight container.

Transfer the pomegranate syrup, when cold, to an airtight container, preferably made of glass.

Step 6: Write down the date of preparation.

You can stick a label to the container or put adhesive tape and write the date on top.

Step 7: Save the pomegranate syrup.

If you place the pomegranate syrup in the coldest part of the refrigerator, it will keep for 1 or 2 weeks. [2]

You can also store pomegranate syrup in the freezer for 2 or 3 months; just remember to put it in a container or bag that is freezer resistant and can close tightly.

How to dehydrate the pomegranate

This is another method to take advantage of the pomegranate and store it for a long time without needing a fridge. Follow my instructions to dehydrate pomegranate:

Step 1: Chop the pomegranate into quarters.

Cut the pomegranates into quarters with a sharp knife, following the patterns of the inner membranes.

Step 2: Remove the seeds from the pomegranate.

In a bowl or large bowl of water, place the pieces of pomegranate and gently remove the seeds with your thumbs or fingers, so you will not run the risk of staining.

Then strain and dry the pomegranate seeds with absorbent paper or a clean towel.

Step 3: Dehydrate the pomegranate.

If you use an oven, preheat it to the lowest temperature, about 90°C. Then on a tray with a nonstick sheet or parchment paper on top, spread the pomegranate seeds. Bake for 4 or 6 hours.

But if you have a food dehydrator, spread the pomegranate seeds inside the internal trays of the equipment without piling them up. Set the temperature to 65°C and dehydrate for 8 or 12 hours.

You will know that pomegranate seeds dry properly when wrinkled and dry to the touch.

Step 4: Transfer the dehydrated pomegranate to a container.

Wait for them to cool before storing them in a container, so the dehydrated pomegranate’s internal steam will dissipate and not generate moisture. Regarding the container, I advise using a glass one with an airtight lid, as this material is known to preserve food well.

You can also use plastic bags or containers. A tip you can apply to check that the pomegranate dehydrates well is only to fill the container halfway, and if you notice moisture in the container, you can dehydrate them for longer.

Step 5: Note the storage date.

Attach a storage date label to the container, write the date directly on the bag, or stick a date paper using plastic tape.

Step 6: Store the dehydrated pomegranate.

You can put the dehydrated fruit in a part that is always dry, dark, and fresh. This way, the dehydrated pomegranate will remain in good condition for a year at room temperature.

You can also store the dehydrated pomegranate in the freezer for 2 to 5 years.

How do you know that the pomegranate spoiled?

One of the first signs that tell you that the pomegranate has gone bad is when its appearance changes. That is, when the peel of the pomegranate becomes opaque or with dark and soft areas, it will have already spoiled.

Another sign of its appearance that tells you that the pomegranate was damaged is when it gets some lint or black or white spots, as this tells you that the fruit developed mold and, therefore, is full of bacteria and is not safe to eat.

Do not eat pomegranates that give off a bad smell, or their juice has a strange taste. And if the pomegranate seeds turned black or brown, it means their shelf life has already expired.

How long does the pomegranate last?

Product	Duration
Pomegranate at room temperature	3 – 5 days
Pomegranate in the fridge	1 – 3 months
Pomegranate seeds in the fridge	1 week
Pomegranate seeds in the freezer	10 – 12 months
Thawed pomegranate in the fridge	2 – 3 days
Pomegranate juice in the fridge	5 days
Pomegranate juice in the freezer	1 year
Pomegranate jam at room temperature (sealed)	10 – 12 months
Pomegranate jam at room temperature (open)	3 – 4 months
Pomegranate jam in the fridge (sealed)	12 – 18 months
Pomegranate jam in the fridge (open)	6 months
Frozen pomegranate jam	2 – 5 years
Pomegranate syrup in the fridge	1 – 2 weeks
Pomegranate syrup in the freezer	2 – 3 months
Dehydrated pomegranate at room temperature	1 year
Dehydrated pomegranate in the freezer	2 – 5 years

What is the best way to store pomegranates?

Fresh pomegranate is best kept in the fridge because not only will you have the possibility to keep it for a couple of months, you will not have to wait to use it.

Fresh pomegranate can be at room temperature for a few days, but keep in mind that heat can damage it quickly, especially if it is already ripe.

Concerning the pomegranate seeds, the best way to preserve them is to freeze them so that they will remain in good condition for a long time, since in the fridge, it only lasts a few days.

Pomegranate juice is best stored in the fridge since there it is always ready to drink, and in the freezer, it can lose its flavor a little.

Pomegranate syrup or syrup keeps well in the cold. But pomegranate jam and dehydrated pomegranate can be at room temperature for quite some time.

If you are interested in learning how to save another fruit, here you have many topics about that and how to preserve legumes, vegetables, or dishes, which could be helpful.