Among the autumn fruits, one of the tastiest and most characteristic is the pomegranate, which is also known for the many beneficial properties of its juicy red seeds. saw ch and contains many natural vitamins and antioxidants It is healthy to eat this type of fruit during the winter, boosting the immune system to prevent flu, colds and other seasonal illnesses.
To savor it at best and preserve all its properties, it must be picked at the right time. Ideally, it should fully ripen on the plant. In this article we will look at the best period and how to understand the state of ripeness of fruits.
Pomegranates are stored long enough not to be harvested before the end of the year, in some regions it is traditional to bring them to the table at Christmas, it is also said to be a good omen.
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Understanding fruit maturity
To understand when a pomegranate is ripe, it is best to look at the color of its skin – it is very easy to pick the right moment at a glance. There are different varieties of pomegranates, which differ in their external coloring: there are pomegranates with red or yellow skin, or varieties with red stripes on a yellow background. When the fruit reaches the characteristic color of the variety to which it belongs, it is time to pick it. Another indication of the degree of ripeness is the size, taking the ready pomegranate in your hand, you can feel to the touch that it is full of firm grains.
How and when to collect
The collection period. The pomegranate is harvested in the fall; depending on the climatic zone and the season, the exact period may vary, but it is harvested in September, October and November.
How to collect. The pomegranate tree is a small tree, so it is not necessary to use very high ladders to harvest it. It is useful to equip yourself with scissors to cut the stem of the fruit with a clean and clean cut, since it is a woody part of the plant. Tearing the fruit by hand can damage the tree by exposing small pieces of bark that are exposed to disease and insects.
Pomegranates are spread over the plant . It can happen that the pomegranate fruit cracks on the tree, which usually happens when it is very ripe and is a problem due to lack or excess of water. In this case it must be caught to prevent it from rotting or being eaten by birds or insects. More details on this physiopathy in the article on the pomegranate fruit that opens.
Storage . Pomegranates can be stored for more than a month from the time of harvest, you need to store them in a place that is not too humid, preferably in the dark and in a cool place. The best temperature for storing these fruits is 5-6 degrees.