When Are Pomegranates in Season?

Sharp, zesty, packed with nutrients to keep you fit as a fiddle, pomegranate seeds impart tangy bursts of goodness to everything from salads to tagines. But pomegranate season doesn’t last long. Better take full advantage so you won’t miss ’em (too much) once they’re gone!

So when is pomegranate season? They flourish from the end of September through November, but a hardy constitution keeps them available through December and sometimes even early January.

You’ll earn rewards on each pom you purchase with the Fetch app if you do your grocery shopping online using Fetch Shop. It’s as simple as downloading the app and placing your order through the likes of Uber Eat, Target, or one of our other partner stores. Learn more before adding pomegranates to your cart today.

Get rewarded for healthy eating with Fetch Shop 

You’re already adding fresh produce to your grocery list each week, so why not get something in return for choosing to eat healthy? With Fetch Shop, you’ll earn points per dollar on the purchases you make at select stores when placing your order through the app, which means the more fruit and veggies you add to your list, the more rewards you’ll earn. Whether you’re scheduling a grocery pickup at Target using their Drive Up service or stocking up for a big get-together shopping online at Sam’s Club, you can turn your produce into Fetch points that can be redeemed for free gift cards when grocery shopping with Fetch Shop.

To earn rewards on fresh produce with Fetch Shop:

1. Download Fetch.
2. Open the app, and navigate to Fetch Shop; on your “Discover” (home) tab, you’ll find the Fetch Shop icon directly to the left of the camera icon at the bottom of your screen.
3. Once in Fetch Shop, scroll to the “Food & Drink” category, click where it says, “See all,” then find the grocery retailer of your choice, and select that store.
4. Tap “Go shopping!” and then simply grocery shop online as you would normally. And don’t forget to add those fruits and veggies to your cart to rack up even more points!

Where do pomegranates grow?

Being native to India and Iran, pomegranates naturally thrive in the heat and have been cultivated across the Middle-East and North Africa for centuries. Here in the US, 99% of commercially grown pomegranates hail from sunny California, though just a few are cultivated in Texas and Arizona.

You’ll also find the odd pomegranate tree grown in gardens across the south.

How to pick a pomegranate at the grocery store

Knowing how to tell if pomegranates are ripe may seem the work of sages and medicine men rather than mere mortals. I mean, you can’t even see the part you’ll eat!

Worry not. Three golden rules separate the pomegranate rookie from a produce section pro. Just look for:

• Angular Shape: Perfectly ripe pomegranates aren’t perfect spheres. Search instead for those with flattened, angular sides.
• Firm Skin: Pomegranates vary from light to dark red. Regardless of color, you’re looking for smooth, firm skin without any blemishes or discoloration.
• Hefty Feel: A pomegranate that’s heavy for its size conceals deliciously full and juicy seeds.

How to store pomegranates

Pomegranates store like absolute angels. Put them on the countertop for up to a week or refrigerate in a loose plastic wrap for a couple months.

Can’t praise them enough. 10/10, would store again.

Can you freeze pomegranate seeds?

Sure, but there’s a catch: pomegranate seeds do last up to a year when frozen in an airtight container, but they’re liable to grow mushy once defrosted. Though not ideal for eating out-of-hand, they’ll still be fine for cooking.

How to eat a pomegranate

Pomegranate isn’t a fruit to snatch straight up and chomp right into. You might do it once, but that would satisfy your curiosity for life.

It’s because you’re never really eating a pomegranate. You’re eating the seeds (or “arils,” to get all fancy-pants). Arils bear the good stuff (the antioxidants, juice, and vitamins), and there’s no one way to enjoy them once they’re out.

Throw them in a salad, pep up a standard bowl of oatmeal, mix into yogurt, or toss a bunch in your mouth for a tasty, tangy hit.

Or scroll on down to some of our favorite pomegranate recipes to whip up something indecently delicious.

How to cut a pomegranate

Pomegranates can be tricky. Scooping arils without spraying red juice across counters or sending seeds skyward can be such an uphill battle that it might as well be vertical.

No mas! Grab a sharp knife, medium sized bowl, and cutting board, then follow these steps to cut and deseed the problematic pomegranate with effortless grace and poise.

1. Holding the pomegranate with stem facing upwards, place your knife in the center of the stem and make two cuts to form a cross. You’re not trying to cut into the pomegranate, just through the stem.
2. Carefully score from the end of each line right down the pomegranate, again piercing just the skin. Repeat until scored into even quarters.
3. Gently pull the pomegranate into four separate pieces.
4. Break each quarter apart to release seeds into your bowl.
5. Time to remove the pith. Fill your bowl with cool water until seeds are good and covered, then give them a swirl to bring any loose peel to the top. Expect about 1 ¼ cup of seeds from each pomegranate using this method.
6. Enjoy right away or keep for up to 5 days in the fridge.

Can dogs eat pomegranate?

While pomegranates pose no serious health risks for dogs, they can upset canine stomachs or lead to gastrointestinal distress. Not pleasant for the dog or owner.

Vets recommend blackberries, cantaloupe, or blueberries instead. You may spot commercial pomegranate dog treats or supplements, and those are fine in moderation since they contain limited extract and flavoring.

Can cats eat pomegranate?

Pomegranates aren’t toxic to cats. No need to stress if yours swipes and swallows a few without incident. 

The problem is pomegranate seeds are still a choking hazard for cats, especially when Monsieur Fluffy Paws attempts to eat several at once. It’s not like cats need the vitamins and minerals that make pomegranates so healthy for us lowly humans anyway, so no need to share with them.

Check out some of our favorite easy pomegranate recipes

Delicious enough to be enjoyed by themselves, those sweet, sharp arils make for mouthwatering juice (especially when you go homemade) and lend themselves to a whole host of crowd-pleasers.

Here’s just a few of our favorites.

How to make pomegranate juice

Don’t write off pomegranate juice if you’ve never had it fresh! It’s lighter, less astringent, higher in vitamin C, and boasts a deeper magenta hue than store-bought. Added plus, it works out around half the price and can be made as needed, a godsend when you’re shopping for one.

Ingredients:

• 5 or 6 large pomegranates (makes about 4 cups of juice)

Recipe:

1. Remove the crown-shaped top part of the pomegranate, then score into 4 or more sections.
2. Break open and pull into separate sections.
3. Fill a large bowl with cold water, then submerge each section and break apart the arils.
4. Once arils have separated, drain the water and pour the arils into a blender.
5. Blend for 15 to 20 seconds until arils have been crushed.
6. Pour through a strainer, using a plastic spatula to press the pulp through if you want to speed things up.
7. Pour into a glass to enjoy immediately or refrigerate in a jar for 5 to 6 days.

How to make pomegranate molasses

Pomegranate molasses is an age-old staple of Middle Eastern and North African fare, and we think they might be onto something. Perfect for giving savory dishes a sweeter tang, pomegranate molasses is simple to make and can kick up everything from roasts and sauces to dressings and desserts.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of pomegranate juice (see recipe above!)
• ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons of sugar
• ¼ cup of lemon juice (about one large lemon)

Recipe:

1. Combine pomegranate juice, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan, then bring to the boil over medium-high heat. Once boiled, reduce to medium-low.
2. Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent sugars sticking.
3. Now most liquid has burned off, reduce heat slightly and simmer for another 15 minutes.
4. Check molasses are done by dipping in a spoon and checking it remains coated.
5. Remove from the heat and let cool for 30 minutes.
6. Pour into a clean jar. No worries if it seems too runny – molasses thickens as it cools.
7. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

How to make a pomegranate martini

Imagine the classic martini blended with a cosmopolitan. Pomegranate martini would be the result, and a welcome one. Citrus notes sweeten the pomegranate while imparting a lip-smacking tang, and it’s a straightforward libation to whip up at home.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces of Absolut vodka
• 1 ounce of pomegranate juice
• 3/4 ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 ounce of orange liqueur (we like Cointreau)

Recipe:

1. Fill 2/3 of a shaker with ice, then pour in the vodka, pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, and lime juice.
2. Shake for 20 seconds to combine and chill.
3. Strain into a martini glass and enjoy.

Use Fetch to make your grocery list and turn your shopping haul into free gift cards

Healthy treats like the exotic pomegranate should be within everyone’s budget. Our shopping rewards app makes that happen by maximizing your reward points and allowing you to redeem them for free gift cards to spend at places you love to shop like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Visa, and so many more. It’s what we’re all about here at Fetch – getting you the greatest value for every dollar spent.