Signs of Pomegranate Ripeness

Color

• A ripe pomegranate will have a deep reddish purple color. The color should be bright and deep. Look for fruit with a consistent color over the entire surface, instead of one that looks mottled or uneven.

Surface Texture

• The skin of a ripe pomegranate is smooth and unshriveled. Look for fruit with a tough, thin skin and pass over pomegranates that have a broken skin or are bruised or damaged, the University of Florida IFAS Extension advises.

Weight

• A ripe pomegranate will feel heavy for its size. You want a pomegranate that's juicy, so you should look for the largest fruits you see and then pick them up to see how heavy they feel. The heavier a pomegranate is, the juicier it is, the Pomegranate Council reports.

Storage

• Once you've selected a ripe pomegranate you can use it immediately or store it. The fruits have a long shelf life and can be kept for several months if stored properly. You can store whole, uncut pomegranates in a cool, dry place for a month or refrigerate them for two months. If you remove the seeds from the fruit, they will keep in the freezer for up to three months as long as they are placed in an air-tight container.