One of the oldest fruits in our collective history, pomegranates are one of the most amazing sources of nutrition and flavour. At Farm Boy, we’re committed to getting you closer to the farm by bringing you the highest-quality produce available, expertly hand-selected to be longer-lasting and flavourful. While much of our produce is sourced locally, we look abroad to bring you the tastiest pomegranates. That’s because this fruit grows best in hot, dry climates, primarily in countries like India, Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkey, as well as states like Arizona and California.
In your neighbourhood Farm Boy, you can expect to find pomegranates that have been carefully chosen for their flavour, quality, and overall vibrancy. You can also find some pomegranate-based products on our store shelves that we think you’ll love! Read on to discover more about this historic fruit.
Blog Overview
- Pomegranates have a tart, tangy, and juicy flavour.
- The edible part of the pomegranate are the seeds, or arils.
- Pomegranates can be refrigerated for many weeks and the seeds can be refrigerated or frozen.
- They have many health benefits, including antioxidants, vitamin C, folate, and potassium.
- Use them in sweet and savoury recipes, juiced, or made into molasses.
How to Choose Pomegranates
The best pomegranate is the one that’s ripe, full to bursting with those tangy arils. To select the best one at your local Farm Boy, you’ll want to first look at its colour. While all pomegranates are red, the tastiest ones have a deep red, tight skin. Then, pick it up. If it feels heavy for its size, that’s ideal—it means the arils inside are full of juice.
While we usually recommend avoiding fruits that have a splitting skin, a bit of splitting is actually preferred when it comes to pomegranates. When the skin splits on this fruit, it means it’s literally bursting with goodness—enjoy this one right away!
How to Open Pomegranates
The edible part of the pomegranate are the seeds, also known as arils. At Farm Boy, we offer whole pomegranates as well as arils for your convenience. The best way to open a pomegranate is by using a sharp knife to cut off both ends. Then, score lines down from the top of the fruit to the bottom. Use your thumbs to push into the fruit and pop it open. Voila! You now have a segmented pomegranate with all the seeds visible.
Check out our Produce Spotlight with our Produce Category Manager, Michael, to see how he does it.
How to Store Pomegranates
Unlike some fruits like peaches (read more about peaches on our blog), pomegranates don’t ripen any more after picking. However, the arils do get sweeter as they age. (If your pomegranate has already begun to split as mentioned above, though, that’s one that needs to be enjoyed quickly.)
You can store these fruits in the fridge for several weeks with no issue. If you want to seed it, you can remove the arils, place them in a bowl, and cover them with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the arils for up to a week.
To freeze the arils, spread them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Once frozen, shake them into a freezer-safe bag or container. In the freezer, arils can last up to six months. (Note: frozen arils are better in cooked recipes versus snacking, as they become mushy after defrosting.)
Health Benefits of Pomegranates
The healthiest part of the pomegranate are the arils. The arils (the seeds of the fruit) are high in fibre, vitamin C, folate, and potassium. They also contain magnesium and phosphorous. Consumption of pomegranates can help battle inflammation, improve digestive health, and aid overall heart health. This fruit is both tasty and nutritious, making it a great addition to your diet!
Our Farm Boy Pomegranate Picks
Farm Boy™ Pomegranate Molasses
Sweet, tart, and tangy, this vibrant condiment is crafted by reducing pomegranate juice into a delicious syrup. Traditionally used in Middle Eastern cuisines in dishes like stews and dips, it’s also extremely versatile. Try it in marinades, glazes, salad dressings, beverages, and more.
Farm Boy™ Organic Pomegranate Vinegar Drink
Do a favour for your gut health and try this tangy tonic. Zingy and packed with flavour, this vinegar drink is organic, raw, unfiltered, and unpasteurized to preserve its natural digestive properties. Versatile enough for a myriad of uses, try in marinades, dressings, or simply diluted in juice or water.
Farm Boy™ No Sugar Added Pomegranate Juice
Skip the added sugar and keep all that tart, tangy flavour! Containing no preservatives, artificial colours, or flavours, this juice stands apart for its natural sweetness and notable tang and freshness. Enjoy it on its own or mixed into cocktails, mocktails, and smoothies.
Perfect Pomegranate Recipes
Winter Orange and Pomegranate Salad with Candied Pecans
Ingredients: pecans, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, fig jam, tender greens, oranges, raisins, pomegranate arils, feta cheese.
A delicious blend of colours, flavours, and textures, this salad shouldn’t be limited to the colder months. Select whatever oranges you like best as the showpiece of this salad (we like blood oranges here too) and create a memorable starter or side.
Chef’s Tip: Cut down on prep work by candying the pecans and making the balsamic dressing a day or two beforehand.
Jewelled Mixed Grain Pilaf
Ingredients: extra virgin olive oil, onion, garlic, barley, farro, quinoa, wild rice, vegetable broth, salt, pepper, dried apricots, raisins, parsley, pistachios, pomegranate arils, goat cheese.
Nutritious and delicious, we love this mixed grain pilaf for a wholesome side dish. It’s full of nourishing fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals, and is incredibly easy to make. Don’t save it just for your holiday table—enjoy this dish year-round!
Chef’s Tip: Easily make this hearty side plant-based by replacing the cheese with Farm Boy™ Vegan Feta-Style Cheese Alternative.
Pomegranate Fruit Punch
Ingredients: pomegranate juice, apple cider, orange juice, limes, oranges, cranberries, Grand Marnier, vodka, ice, carbonated water.
Ideal for cocktails or mocktails, this pomegranate fruit punch works for any season. Instead of frozen cranberries, you can add even more pomegranate flavour by using pomegranate arils or do a fifty-fifty split of both.
Chef’s Tip: Have this fruit punch prepped ahead of time and add the carbonated water just before serving.
More Recipes & Suggestions
Did you know?
- A medium-sized pomegranate provides between one to two cups of seeds.
- Pomegranates have been cultivated for over 5000 years and cherished by ancient civilizations.
- Pomegranates are a symbol of life and fertility in many cultures, including Ancient Egypt.
- A pomegranate tree can live for longer than 200 years.
- Grenadine—that sweet syrup in drinks like Shirley Temples—was originally made with pomegranate juice.
- There are about 100 different variations of the fruit.
