How to Choose a Pomegranate at the Market

Pick up two pomegranates of a similar size. Choose the heavier one if its rind is intact. Weight is a clue to juiciness. For a sweeter or tarter fruit, ask the seller about the variety.

Compare like with like

A large pomegranate will often outweigh a small one simply because of its size. Pick up two of similar dimensions. If both have sound skins, choose the one that feels fuller in your palm.

Turn the fruit over

Check around the crown and underneath. Pass over fruit with a deep split, leaking juice or an obvious soft patch. A dry surface mark is different from a split that exposes the inside.

Choose a flavour for the dish

For snacking, choose a pomegranate whose flavour you like as it is. For a sauce you may want a tarter variety. If there’s a sample, tasting a few arils tells you more about flavour than looking at the rind.

Is a deep red pomegranate sweeter?

Sometimes, but colour varies by variety. A darker rind alone tells you little about sweetness.

Will a pomegranate ripen at home?

No. Pomegranates stop ripening once harvested, so leaving an underripe one on the counter will not make it sweeter.

For a way to use a tart pomegranate, try pears poached in spiced pomegranate juice. The recipe uses the juice.

Sources

UC Davis Postharvest Research and Extension Center, University of California Cooperative Extension, Utah State University Extension.