How to Store Pomegranates So They Stay Juicy and Bright for Weeks

Pomegranate season is the best season. Available as either whole fruit or ready-to-eat arils, pomegranates bring bursts of sweetness, color, and texture to everything from salads and desserts to pizzas (yes, pizza).  Plus, pomegranates are full of nutritional benefits, including antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins.  But to enjoy them, you need to store them properly. We spoke to experts to find out the best place to store pomegranates and how to make sure they last for weeks.

What to Look for When Buying Pomegranates

The first step in ensuring your pomegranates stay fresh until you can use them is to start before you get home from the market. When you're shopping for whole pomegranates, don't get too hung up on minor surface imperfections. A few scuffs or uneven patches on the husk aren't indicators of poor quality. Instead, focus on shape and weight, which reveal how juicy the seeds inside will be.

"Color is something people tend to focus on, but weight is the real giveaway," says Derrick Miller, president of POM Wonderful, the largest grower and producer of fresh pomegranates and pomegranate juice in the U.S. "You want a pomegranate that feels heavy for its size—that tells you it's full of good, juicy arils."

Just the Arils: If you prefer the convenience of ready-to-eat pomegranate arils, you're not alone. That seeding step can be a lot, but the key to buying the packaged arils is to check the best-by date and plan to enjoy them by then. 

How to Store Whole Pomegranates

Whole pomegranates have a surprisingly long shelf life—but only if they are stored properly. They prefer a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight. While a countertop or fruit bowl is fine if you're going to eat them within a couple of days, the refrigerator is your best bet for longer storage.

"Many people think that pomegranates should be stored on the counter, as most grocery stores sell them at room temperature," says Jenny Finke, MS, RD of the Metabolic Dietitian, who regularly recommends pomegranates for their anti-inflammatory properties and started sharing storage tips after hearing how often clients lost fruit to early spoilage.

Whether you store them on the counter or in the fridge, don't wash the fruit before storing. The husk is good protection, Miller says. In fact, moisture left on the rind after washing could lead to spoilage. 

Just remember that whether you're keeping them on your counter or in your refrigerator, you'll want to separate them from ethylene-producing fruits, such as apples and bananas, which can cause pomegranates to spoil quicker.

How Long Whole Pomegranates Last

At room temperature: On the counter, whole pomegranates will last up to a week.

In the refrigerator: Stored in the crisper drawer or another cool, ventilated spot, they can last up to two months.

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How to Store Pomegranate Arils

Once you remove the arils from a pomegranate, the clock starts ticking. "The husk is nature's perfect little protection," Miller says. "It keeps them in great eating condition, but once you've extracted them, they do need to be refrigerated or they will ferment or spoil."

Finke suggests patting the arils completely dry before storing them in a shallow, airtight container. "Adding a small paper towel lining as the bottom of the container will help to collect any residual moisture so that they stay fresher for longer, she notes

How Long Arils Last

Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, arils will last for up to one week.

Packaged arils: If you've purchased packaged arils, check the "best by" date and ensure they remain chilled. Properly packaged arils, Miller says, are designed to stay fresh until that date, provided they're kept refrigerated.

Freezing Arils

If you know you won't be able to use the arils in time, freeze them to use later.

Spread them on a baking sheet to freeze individually. Once they are frozen, transfer the arils to a freezer-safe bag, press out any excess air, and store them for up to a couple of months.

Frozen arils will keep their flavor and vibrant color—and you can use them straight from the freezer in smoothies, with yogurt, or in cooking. Keep in mind the texture won't be as good for snacking after thawing.

When to Toss

Though they have a long shelf life, pomegranates do spoil eventually and, once that happens, the signs are pretty clear.

Arils: If you notice bubbles rising or a milky liquid pooling at the bottom of the container, it's time to throw them out. "Those are signs that fermentation has started, and you should discard them," Miller explains. Any mold on the surface is also an immediate no-go.

Whole pomegranates: The outer skin offers good clues. Dark brown or yellow soft spots indicate internal decay, and while the damage is sometimes isolated, it's best to open the fruit and inspect the arils before eating or chucking it. Discard the fruit if you spot mold on the husk.

Finke notes that the texture of the fruit itself can be a giveaway. "When the skin of the pomegranate becomes soft, wrinkled, or feels squishy to the touch, it's time to throw it out," she says.