A split pomegranate with glowing arils, surrounded by mist and a protective liner.

Pomegranate Perfection: How to Keep Your Fruit Fresh Longer

Nico Varela in Science & Nature December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlocking the secrets to prolonged pomegranate quality through smart storage."

That vibrant red pomegranate you picked up at the store is a nutritional powerhouse, but it's also a race against time. Like all fresh produce, pomegranates are susceptible to quality loss, leading to shrivelled skins and diminished flavour. But what if you could extend their shelf life and enjoy that juicy goodness for longer?

Research into the postharvest handling of pomegranates is revealing practical strategies to combat quality decline. Scientists are exploring how simple adjustments during precooling and storage can make a big difference, both for commercial growers and the everyday consumer.

This article dives into findings from a recent study featured in the Journal of Food Engineering. We will explore how managing humidity, optimizing packaging, and understanding storage dynamics can prevent moisture loss, maintain fruit quality, and extend the life of pomegranates.

The Secret Weapon: Humidity & Packaging

A split pomegranate with glowing arils, surrounded by mist and a protective liner.

The study investigated the impact of humidity and packaging during precooling and storage. Pomegranates, specifically the 'Wonderful' cultivar, were subjected to different environmental conditions to measure the effects on weight loss, firmness, colour and other quality indicators.

Here's what the researchers discovered:

Precooling Pointers: Weight loss during precooling ranged from 0.01% to 0.06% per hour, with the highest loss occurring in stacks without protective liners in non-humidified rooms.
Liner is Better: Packaging with liners minimized weight loss during precooling. This simple addition acts as a barrier against moisture loss, preserving the fruit's freshness.
Humidification is Key: Storing pomegranates in a room with 95% relative humidity (RH) significantly reduced weight loss and maintained fruit colour, firmness, size, and chemical quality.
The Danger of Dry Air: Pomegranates stored at ambient conditions (65% RH) suffered excessive weight loss, leading to shrivelling and a decline in visual appeal.

These findings underscore the importance of creating a moisture-rich environment for pomegranates during storage. While liners provide an initial barrier during precooling, maintaining high humidity levels is critical for long-term preservation.

Practical Tips for Pomegranate Preservation

So, how can you apply these findings to keep your pomegranates fresher at home or in a market setting? Here are a few takeaway points:

<ul><li>Home Storage: If you're buying pomegranates for home use, store them in the refrigerator's crisper drawer where humidity is naturally higher. Placing them in a plastic bag or container can further help retain moisture.</li><li>Market Displays: Retailers should consider using humidified display cases to prevent excessive weight loss and maintain visual appeal. Regular misting can also help.</li><li>Mind the Liner: When buying pomegranates, check if they're packaged with a liner. This simple addition can make a significant difference in their initial freshness.</li></ul>

By understanding the dynamics of moisture loss and implementing these strategies, we can all enjoy pomegranates at their peak quality for longer, reducing waste and savouring every juicy bite.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2018.10.020, Alternate LINK

Title: Analysing The Dynamics Of Quality Loss During Precooling And Ambient Storage Of Pomegranate Fruit

Subject: Food Science

Journal: Journal of Food Engineering

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Matia Mukama, Alemayehu Ambaw, Tarl Michael Berry, Umezuruike Linus Opara

Published: 2019-03-01

Everything You Need To Know

What's the best way to keep pomegranates fresh longer?

To keep pomegranates fresh, focus on maintaining high humidity and using protective packaging. During precooling, weight loss can range from 0.01% to 0.06% per hour, but using liners minimizes this. For long-term storage, aim for a relative humidity of 95% to reduce weight loss and maintain fruit quality. Avoiding storage at ambient conditions, which can cause excessive weight loss and shriveling, is crucial.

Which type of pomegranate was studied, and how did humidity affect it?

The 'Wonderful' cultivar of pomegranates were specifically tested to determine the impact of humidity and packaging during precooling and storage. The study measured weight loss, firmness, color, and other quality indicators. Results showed that proper humidity and packaging are vital for maintaining the quality of this specific pomegranate type.

Why is precooling important for pomegranates, and how does it impact their freshness?

Precooling is the initial cooling process after harvesting. The research indicates that during precooling, pomegranates can lose moisture, especially when not protected. Using liners in packaging during this stage can create a barrier against moisture loss, preserving freshness. The highest weight loss during precooling occurs in stacks without protective liners in non-humidified rooms, emphasizing the importance of these measures.

How does humidity affect pomegranate preservation, and why is it so important?

High humidity, specifically around 95% relative humidity (RH), is crucial for pomegranate preservation because it significantly reduces weight loss and helps maintain the fruit's color, firmness, size, and chemical quality. Pomegranates stored in dry air (65% RH) tend to suffer excessive weight loss, leading to shriveling and reduced visual appeal. Thus, a moisture-rich environment is vital for extending the shelf life and quality of pomegranates.

Besides humidity and packaging, what other factors might affect how long pomegranates stay fresh, and what further research could be done?

The research from the Journal of Food Engineering demonstrated that managing humidity and using appropriate packaging are key to extending the shelf life of pomegranates. While the study focused on precooling and storage conditions, additional factors like ethylene exposure, storage temperature, and the initial quality of the fruit also play a role. Future research could explore the combined effects of these factors to further optimize pomegranate preservation strategies and reduce postharvest losses.