It’s Pomegranate season, so I thought I would share the information on how to find if a pomegranate is ripe and ready to pick? Much like figs or Peaches, Poms stop ripening once they are picked. However, if you leave them on the tree until they over-ripen, they will probably split and lose their flavor.
Just like figs, the flavor is incredible when you pick them when they are properly ripe, however, it is not always easy to figure out when these fruits are at the peak ripeness. I have often struggled too to pick them at the right time. For Poms (Parfianka, in my case), I came across the tips from Alabama Pomegranate Association fb page that I have found very helpful to pick the Poms at the proper ripeness:
You are viewing: How Do You Know When Pomegranates Are Ripe
How do you know when a pomegranate is ripe?
Cracked – Not the best method. I hear so many people say they wait till a pomegranate cracks open. A cracked pomegranate can be the result of infrequent irrigation. It is also an invitation for pest and aril damage.
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Color – Not the best method. Pomegranate can range in color from red, to pink, to yellow, to orange, to purple, to black, and even remain green. There are many different varieties of pomegranates that are very different in look and taste.
Feel Heavy – A ripe pomegranate should feel heavy for it’s size. This is a big indication that the arils are full of juice. Heavy ripe pomegranates give more juice.
Scratch Test – The outer skin becomes a little soft, if you are able to make a scratch by finger nail, with gentle pressure, then it is ripe. Usually before ripening the skin is hard and tight, and cannot be easily scratched.
Smoothness Test – Rub your finger over the surface of the pomegranate. The skin should be smooth(exception paper shell varieties). A ripe pomegranate outer skin will have been stretched out due to the pressure of the juicy, plump aril sacs filing up with juice.
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Metallic Sound – Ripe pomegranates make a metallic sound when you tap on them several times.
Check the crown – Look at the top of the fruit. If the little petal-shaped appendages at the top are turned slightly inward, your pomegranate is ripe and ready to eat.
The shape – The unripe fruit is exactly round in shape like an Asian pear. But at the stage of ripening, the round shape is changed with sides slightly becoming square. It appears to have ridges. This happens due to the arils, which reach to the maximum size of juice content, and it presses against the outer wall. The pomegranate has four slots inside the fruit. The round shape is stressed and the fruit looks flattened from four sides. Ripe pomegranates lose their round shape.
The Sugar/Acid Ratio – Harvest maturity is determined by sugar and acid contents, sugar: acid ratio. This is tested by using a Brix Refractometer. This is recommended for the variety called “Wonderful”. The acids should be lower than 1.85 percent, soluble sugar content greater than 16 to 17 percent, and the sugar: acid ratio greater than 18.5.
Please share if you have any other tips.
Source: https://t-tees.com
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