grenade (pink garnet) originated MediterraneanParts of modern Iran and northern India. Classified as a berry, the pomegranate is a delicious and highly nutritious fruit grown for its juicy seeds.
You can guess which ones they are by the color. high in antioxidants and vitaminsWhich can protect us from diseases such as osteoarthritis, inflammation, high blood pressure and the adverse effects of free radicals. Levels can vary depending on the variety, with over 500 options to choose from.
Grenades require relatively little maintenance and work well in containers. If you are a patient gardener, I recommend growing these sweet, tart, fun little fruits. However, if you’re not ready to develop your own, use these tips Check POM expiration At the farmers market or local supermarket.
As with other crops, use days to maturity as your primary guide. Mark the estimated first harvest date on your calendar and take detailed notes throughout the growing year to understand how the tree performs in your area’s climate. So, jump Look for five signs to know when your pomegranates are ripe and ready to harvest.,
weight
High weight indicates mature entrails and full, juicy kernels. When it comes to grenades, the bigger the better. After all, you want the juice, and larger juicers have more of it.
Experienced pomegranate growers can rely too much on weight As an indicator of maturity. If you have fruits on hand for years at various stages of ripeness, you will know when they are ready.
Let’s look at the internals to understand how much this delicious fruit weighs. Aril generally refers to the seed, but the arils of the pomegranate are the fleshy containers that contain the seeds. The translation of the name pomegranate is “Apple with many seeds” in Latin, and the pomegranates support it, which has an average 600 to 800 seeds each,
The arils constitute approximately 40% of the mass of the fruit and surround the seeds, which form approximately 10% of the fruitThe remaining 50% consists of white pulp that holds the outer sacs in place. Although it is technically edible, most people throw it away and compost it because it has a strange texture and slightly bitter taste.
Aril juice contains flavor, vitamins and nutrients. Imagine how much work is involved in extracting juice from fruit and you will understand why it is so expensive to buy it at the supermarket.
size
The grenade changes from a round ball shape to a larger size odd shaped ball with flat edgesThey should be slightly soft when squeezed, but if they are soft or mushy they may be overripe.
texture
With age and maturity, the outer skin becomes thick and leathery. When the fruit is ripe, you can see small cracksAnd the skin is easy to scratch and puncture with a pin or nail. If the outside of the fruit is bruised or has large cracks, the inside probably won’t be in the best shape.
For advice: Ignore suggestions to wait until the fruit is fully ripe, as this encourages pests, disease, and loss of flavor.
sound
Like a watermelon, the sound of a ripe pomegranate changes as it ripens. TO Moody, heavy thunder This is when the kernels inside will be juicy and ready to eat. Some people describe the sound as slightly metallic when brewed. Gently tap one of the flat edges. And listen carefully.
For advice: Record yourself tapping the fruit throughout the ripening stage for future reference. If you are growing them for the first time, this information will be useful in the coming seasons.
Color
External color is not the most accurate indicator of maturity due to variations in varieties in different regions. fully ripe pomegranate From yellow to pink, purple and red.This shows that they are ready to harvest. However, some remain green. Consider the differences between these different varieties:
- The skin of ‘Haku Botan’ remains light yellow when ripe.
- Mature ‘Kara Gul’ skins are a rich, deep burgundy color
- ‘Wonderful’ turns bright, sweet apple red and is extremely bright
- ‘Gisarsky Rozovy’ is mottled yellow and pale pink.
The outer skin will be brightAlmost as if it had been greased for display.
Preparing to harvest pomegranates
Most pomegranate varieties take three to four years to grow before producing a good amount of fruit, while others begin producing fruit within two years. let the good days pass (180 to 215), then use these signs to confirm that your pomegranates are ready to harvest.
Wait until the fruit is ripe for the sweetest, juiciest pulp. Depending on your region and variety, plan to harvest the pomegranate at some point. late autumn, SeptemberEITHER November,
Use clean, sharp scissors and avoid pulling. Keeping the calyx intact will help keep the fruit hydrated and may increase its storage capacity. cut as close as possible Towards the branch, taking the stem with it.
For advice: Although the fruit won’t ripen from the vine, the pulp will sweeten, so save any you accidentally cut prematurely. Keep them on your counter, away from other ripe fruits and vegetables and out of direct sunlight.
storage
Keep fresh fruits in a dry, dark place for about a week. After about a week, place unused fruits in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. for monthsAn aerated bag will allow the fruits to breathe and prevent them from becoming soft, and a layer will prevent them from becoming damaged.
If you want to freeze the arils for later use, Remove them by doing the following:
- Cut the fruit in half in no particular direction.
- Place a container under the work surface to collect the gums and juice.
- Use the back of a wooden spoon to repeatedly tap the outer shell, squeezing the fruit gently.
- As the artery exits, you may need to remove some of the white fleshy membrane to loosen the internal artery.
- Continue until both parts are empty.
- Store in a freezer-safe plastic bag or container for up to a year.
uses of pomegranate in cooking
Now that you’ve learned how to harvest a ripe pomegranate and extract the small, juicy seeds from its pulp, here are some methods. Combine them with other flavors in fall and winter recipes.,
- Add a small plate of them to a charcuterie board. They combine well with nuts and cheese.
- Add them to crispy baked pear or apple recipes for a unique tangy flavor.
- Add them to your spinach salad with candied walnuts and feta cheese for a special touch.
- Cook them with a glaze over roasted winter squash or ribs.
- Use them in Christmas desserts.
Tips for success in growing pomegranates
- Pay attention to the days to maturity of the variety you are growing.
- Don’t rely solely on the outer color of the skin to reach maturity.
- Avoid waiting until fruit cracks,
- Attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees, wasps and moths by planting your favorite plants. While trees don’t need other trees cross pollinationYield may improve if you plant another plant nearby.
- Fertilize only during the first few years when the bushes are growing.
- Provide plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil. they will do better in USDA Zones 8 to 11,
- Prune regularly.
