What Do Pomegranates Taste Like? Do Pomegranates Taste Good?

Curious about what do pomegranates taste like? Is it true that they taste like acetone? Here’s a complete breakdown of their flavor profile to learn more!

With its vibrant red color and thick skin, the pomegranate can seem intimidating when you see it for the first time. However, you can admit that the fruit’s unique exterior just made you more curious about what a pomegranate tastes like.

How do you even eat one, and what part of pomegranates do you eat?

This post will answer all these curious questions!

Based on my firsthand experience, I can say that pomegranates taste good because they’re both tart and sweet.

But let’s take a deeper look at their flavor profile so I can help you imagine the pomegranate’s flavor better.

What Is A Pomegranate?

The pomegranate fruit is considered a berry, and you can easily distinguish it because of its vibrant reddish-to-purplish color and thick skin. Pomegranates are about the same size as navel oranges, but true pomegranate lovers know that the best-tasting ones are angular and not shaped like perfectly rounded spheres.

Pomegranates are notoriously challenging to open, but they’re a great example that hard work pays off.

Cutting and pulling apart the pomegranate’s skin and membrane will reveal the “fruits of your labor,” also known as the pomegranate’s seeds.

I also discovered that you want to pick heavier pomegranates because it means their seeds are full and juicy. So what does a pomegranate taste like?

What Do Pomegranates Taste Like?

To quickly describe the taste of pomegranates, they have a sweet and tart flavor, almost similar to cranberries but not as sour as blueberries. Pomegranates also have a distinct sweetness that is less sugary than apples.

Some people even compare the taste of ripe pomegranates to sweet cherries and grapes. However, expect that unripe pomegranates taste sour and somewhat bitter.

Ultimately, the sweetness and sourness of pomegranates will depend on their sugar and acid levels.

A 2009 research also found that environmental conditions affect the taste of pomegranates.

Note that I’m describing the taste of pomegranate seeds. The fruit’s white part is technically edible, but most people just discard it since it’s bitter. 

Do Pomegranates Taste Like Prunes?

Pomegranates don’t taste like prunes. Pomegranate seeds are leaning towards a tart, berry-like taste, while I can describe prunes as earthy with a subtle sweetness.

Their textures are also incredibly different since fresh pomegranate fruit seeds are juicy, and prunes are sticky like jam.

Do Pomegranate Seeds Taste Like Acetone?

Ripe pomegranate seeds are sweet and slightly tart. However, some people compare the taste of pomegranate seeds to acetone, which could be from:

• The pomegranate type has a high concentration of anthocyanins, giving it an astringent or acetone-like flavor
• The pomegranates are unripe
• The pomegranates are stored incorrectly
• The pomegranates were damaged when harvested

Do Pomegranate Seeds Taste Like Nail Polish Remover?

A high concentration of anthocyanins in pomegranate seeds can sometimes cause an unpleasant flavor reminiscent of a nail polish remover. To save you from this unpleasant flavor, I discovered through eating pomegranates over the years that the best-tasting ones are heavy and make a hollow noise when tapped.

Do Pomegranate Seeds Taste Like Wine?

The tannins in pomegranate seeds contribute to a bitter flavor, similar to wine. However, avoid fermented pomegranate seeds that smell like alcohol and taste like red wine because they can get you sick.

The Different Types of Pomegranate

Fresh pomegranates

If you haven’t tried a pomegranate, I highly recommend starting with the actual fruit! It’s easy to remember which variety is sweet because it’s called the “Eversweet pomegranate.”

Dried pomegranates

You can also enjoy dried pomegranates in various sweet and savory dishes. In addition, the flavor of pomegranate fruit makes it a tasty alternative to raisins in salads and cookies.

Pomegranate juice

You don’t need a juicer to enjoy pomegranate juice at home. Just select a brand that doesn’t add sugars, artificial flavors, and colors to their pomegranate products.

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You can also try pomegranate molasses, powder, supplement, extract, syrup, tea, and even seed oil!

Why You Should Try Pomegranates

• Delicious: Ripe pomegranate seeds are juicy and sweet, and their slightly crunchy texture adds to the overall experience.
• Healthy: Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants that help prevent different health issues. The delicious fruits also support heart health and promote healthy digestion. 
• Versatile: You can enjoy the seeds of pomegranates as a snack, use them as toppings on dessert recipes, or blend them into your favorite smoothie recipes!

For those who enjoy the distinct pomegranate taste, the flavor of grenadine is likely to be a pleasant surprise.

If you want to explore fruits further, I suggest moving beyond pomegranates and discovering what grenadine tastes like.

As the saying goes: curiosity never killed the cat fruit-lover! My experience with grenadine spans over a decade, but I’ve simmered it down for you.

How Healthy Is A Pomegranate?

Pomegranates offer an array of health benefits. In fact, pomegranates have three times more antioxidants than green tea!

Here are more health benefits to expect from the sweet-tart pomegranate:

• Reduces the risk of cancer
• Can help maintain a healthy weight
• Lowers blood sugar levels and blood pressure
• Source of vitamins and minerals
• Good source of fiber

Where to Find Pomegranates

• Marketplaces: You can check your local marketplace for fresh pomegranates. Some grocery stores also sell pomegranate arils if you don’t want to remove the pomegranate seeds yourself.
• Websites: Are you feeling lazy to go outside? Browse Amazon or Etsy and have your healthy superfruit delivered to your location.

5 Best Substitutes For Pomegranates

Cranberries

The sweet-tart taste of cranberries makes them a popular pomegranate substitute in different recipes. It also helps that cranberries are red because you can use them in recipes that need a pop of color.

Blueberries

Juicy blueberries can also replace your pomegranate seeds. But since they’re bigger than seeds, slice the blueberries before adding them to your dish. 

Raspberries

You can use raspberries if you need a substitute for the tart flavor of pomegranates in your meal. They would just be softer than pomegranate seeds.

Cherries

The sweetness of cherries is quite similar to the sweetness of pomegranates. I also love their crunch, similar to pomegranate seeds, for salads.

If fresh ones are unavailable, you can defrost frozen cherries for your recipe.

Grapes

Berries are the best substitutes for pomegranates, but if they’re also unavailable, try grapes! You can also use grape wine with pomegranate juice as an alternative to pomegranate wine. 

Do Pomegranates Go Bad?

Like any other fresh fruit, pomegranates can also go bad. If they smell or taste like acetone or alcohol, it’s better to just throw them out. 

Pomegranates typically last one to two weeks at room temperature. Put them on your kitchen counter and ensure they’re out of direct sunlight.

If you want to store them longer, keep them in the fridge or freezer.

How To Store Pomegranates

Store whole pomegranates in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight. You can also keep them in the fridge for two months.

If you remove the pomegranate seeds, store them dry inside an airtight container. Then, store the seeds in the fridge for five days or up to a year in the freezer.

Recipes That Have Pomegranates In It

What To Eat Pomegranates With

Salads

The sweet-tart taste of fresh pomegranate seeds is perfect with salads for a healthy diet. For example, try some kale, spinach, pomegranate seeds, walnuts, and cheese and enjoy the contrasting flavors and textures.

Yogurt

If you’re craving something sweet, use pomegranate seeds as a yogurt topping! Add your pomegranates to this delicious copycat Mcdonald’s yogurt parfait, and thank me later.

Drinks

Instead of eating pomegranates, turn them into a delicious grenadine syrup and add color to your homemade cocktail drinks.

You can try this refreshing Nigerian Chapman cocktail and wow your guests!

Conclusion

So what do pomegranates taste like?

Pomegranates are sweet and tart, similar to cranberries or sweet cherries. However, they are not as sour as blueberries and are not sugary sweet like apples.

Some pomegranate varieties are sweeter than others, while more acidic ones might remind you of acetone or wine.

I highly recommend trying these unique-looking fruits because of the sensory satisfaction you’ll experience from the juicy and crunchy seeds. Plus, who wouldn’t want a delicious fruit packed with antioxidants?

For more frequently asked questions, visit our index of food-related questions and answers. Here are a few suggestions for you:

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