Yes, you can eat a split pomegranate. The split happens because the inside grows faster than the skin can stretch, especially after rain. The only thing to watch is that, where it's open, the fruit loses its protection. If the split is clean and the arils look good, you can eat it without any problem.
This time of year we get loads of questions about pomegranates. Why they split, whether a pomegranate with dry skin has gone off, how to tell if a Mollar is just right... I asked my colleague Paco, who grows pomegranates, and he answered with a voice message from up on his tractor. Here are his answers, just as he gave them.
Why do pomegranates split on the tree?
He explains it: "Pomegranates split on the tree because the inside grows really fast and the skin isn't elastic enough to handle that growth."
It's not a flaw in the fruit or a problem, it's the pomegranate growing faster than its own skin. That's why out in the field we see split pomegranates every season, and they're no worse for it.
Do they split more after rain?
Yes. "After the rains it's normal for that to happen, because it soaks up a lot of water and grows very quickly." When it rains after a few dry weeks, the tree drinks all at once, the arils swell and the skin gives way. If you ever see lots of split pomegranates after an autumn storm, now you know why.
Can you eat a split pomegranate?
Yes, you can. Here's how Paco puts it: "A pomegranate that's split, yes, you can eat it. The thing is it's more exposed to weather factors that cause rot, because it no longer has the skin, which is what protects it, and it might pick up some fungus or whatever and start rotting from there. It can also hold up; I mean, it might not rot at all."
At home, the practical thing is to open it and look at the area around the split. If the arils are whole, shiny and smell like pomegranate, go ahead. If you see any soft or bad-looking arils around the split, remove that part and enjoy the rest. And a split pomegranate is better eaten soon than stored.
How do you tell if a Mollar pomegranate is ripe without opening it?
By its colour. "Normally, you can tell a Mollar pomegranate is good by its colour. It takes on a sort of, I don't know, yellowish-brown shade. It's a lighter brown or a pink, and one side often has a reddish patch. You can see it in the colour."
Here's the most common mistake: looking for a red, really red pomegranate. The Mollar isn't like that. When it's just right, it has that toasty tone, somewhere between yellow, light brown and pink, with one redder cheek. If you know the Mollar, that colour tells you more than anything else.
And inside? "It's not a deep red pomegranate, but you should be able to tell the arils are good." Mollar arils are lighter, pinkish, and what matters is that they're plump, juicy and sweet. If you'd like to know more about this variety, we tell you all about it in which is the best pomegranate variety and why.
Does a pomegranate ripen at home?
No. "It's a non-climacteric fruit, so it doesn't ripen." Put simply, a pomegranate doesn't keep ripening once it's picked from the tree, unlike avocados or persimmons. What you take home is what you get. That's why it's so important to pick it at just the right moment, and that's why we harvest them to order.
How long does a pomegranate last at home and where should you keep it?
Much longer than people think. "A pomegranate lasts quite a while at home. The skin can dry out and all, and it can still be good inside. I mean, you might say: 'This is ready for the bin', open the pomegranate and find it's fine inside, because it keeps really well."
Where to keep it? "At home, I'd keep the pomegranate out. It doesn't need to be in a fridge or anything. It can last, I'm telling you, if nothing happens to it, between twenty and thirty days."
So, before you throw out a pomegranate because its skin is wrinkled or dry, open it. Chances are it's perfect inside. It's the same with other fruit: ugly skin doesn't mean the fruit is bad.
Pomegranate FAQs
Is a pomegranate that has split open on its own bad?
No. It splits because the inside grows faster than the skin, especially after rain. You can eat it; just check that the area around the split is healthy.
When wouldn't I eat a split pomegranate?
When you can see through the split that it's started to spoil: soft, dark or bad-smelling arils. If it's only one part, remove it and eat the rest.
What colour is a ripe Mollar pomegranate?
Between yellow and light brown, or pinkish, often with a reddish patch. It doesn't need to be deep red, inside or out.
Does a pomegranate ripen off the tree?
No. It's a non-climacteric fruit: it doesn't keep ripening after it's picked.
Do you need to keep pomegranates in the fridge?
No need. Out of the fridge it keeps well for twenty to thirty days.
My pomegranate has dry, wrinkled skin. Should I throw it out?
Open it first. The skin dries out, but inside it's usually fine: pomegranates keep really well.
If you fancy trying ours, we harvest our Mollar pomegranate when you order it and it comes straight to you from the field. And if you want to know how to choose the rest of your fruit well, here's where to buy good-quality fruit.
Remember to visit our online shop to buy seasonal fruit and veg straight from our fields.
Thanks so much for reading!
