Don't use color as pomegranate flavor gauge

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Question: I have a 15-year-old pomegranate tree. The last couple of years, I noticed that in some of the pomegranates, there are yellow spots on the pips (the part you eat). It looks like a fungus. Is this a disease, or are these OK to eat? I've been making juice out of them, and so far, I've had no adverse effects. Also, the pips are still pink inside this late in the season. I've only had a few that got ruby red.

Just so readers know, I received this question in November. There are quite a few varieties of pomegranates out there, such as the Utah Sweet. Its arils do not turn dark red when it is mature. For real dark arils, or pips, as you call them, plant the varieties Sweet, Wonderful, Eversweet and several others. Dark arils don't guarantee a better taste, but are higher in antioxidants. I don't know what the yellow spots are without seeing them, but I would not be overly concerned if the plant is healthy and the rind looks good.

Bob Morris is an associate professor with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. He can be reached at morrisr@UNCE.unr.edu or 257-5555.