Ruby red pomegranates, with jewel like seeds, are beautiful and delicious, with amazing health benefits. Try one today! This step-by-step tutorial will teach you how to cut a pomegranate and remove the arils.
Pomegranates have been calling my name lately every time I go to the grocery store.
This time, they called my name and said, “Hey lookie, I’m on sale!!!”
And then two jumped into my cart. I had no idea what I would do with them, but I knew I was going to eat them. And take photos of them. They are so pretty!
Did you know that a pomegranate is classified as a berry? It’s been cultivated for millennia and is treasured for the juicy tart seeds inside, since the skin is inedible. The seeds are enclosed in a juicy covering and are called arils. There can be 200 to 1,400 seeds in one pomegranate! The white membrane surrounding the arils is also inedible.
About Pomegranates
A pomegranate is one powerful berry nutritionally! It’s loaded with nutrients, antioxidants, fatty acids, and fiber. It has anti-inflammatory benefits along with cancer-fighting and brain-strengthening properties. You can read more about this miraculous fruit at Healthline.The task of breaking a pomegranate open and getting to the seeds (arils) can be a little daunting, like excavating a hidden treasure. The arils are embedded in the membrane and take a little coaxing to emerge. This step-by-step tutorial will help you get to the little jewels inside the fruit.
How to Cut a Pomegranate and not make a mess
Step 1: Gather supplies
- sharp knife
- cutting board
- towel (use an old towel because the juice stains)
- large bowl filled with cold water
- slotted spoon
- strainer
Step 2: Wash the pomegranate
Isn’t it beautiful? Maybe I’ll buy a few extra and use them for a centerpiece!
Step 3: Slice off the top
I call it the “crown” but it’s technically called the calyx.
Step 4: Score the pomegranate in four or five places
For photo purposes, the cuts are a little deeper than they need to be. Shallow scoring is what you’re looking for, just cutting through the tough red skin. Try not to cut into the juicy arils.
Step 5: Place the pomegranate in a bowl of water
You’ll want to place the cut pomegranate upside down (cut side down) in a bowl of cold water and leave it there for about 10 minutes
Soaking helps to loosen the arils.
Step 6: Separate Arils
Remove the pomegranate from the bowl of water, leaving the water in the bowl. Pry open the cut edges of the pomegranate, exposing the arils. and begin to separate the arils (seeds) with your fingers. Do this under the water in the bowl to avoid making a mess.
Step 7: Remove Membrane
Let the arils fall into the bowl of water. They will sink and the white membrane will float to the top so you can easily remove it. When you’re done, simply skim the membrane off with your slotted spoon and discard it.
Step 8. Remove seeds
Take the seeds out from the water. This is where your strainer comes in handy!
Step 9: Use them!
You can snack on pomegranate seeds right from the bowl or enjoy them in the fun recipes listed below. We also love them in nature’s cereal! Each pomegranate will yield approximately one cup of arils.
Or just marvel over how seriously pretty these little jewels are!
Recipes Using Pomegranate
Salad with Pomegranate and Pecans
Kale Salad with Pomegranate, Orange, and Pine Nuts
Butternut Squash Crostini with Ricotta
Sparkling Pomegranate Punch
Pomegranate Mojitos
How to Cut a Pomegranate – Mess Free Method!
Ingredients
- 1 fresh pomegranate
Instructions
- Slice off the top of the pomegranate (the end that looks like a crown).
- Score the pomegranate in 4 or 5 places, just slicing through the peel.
- Place pomegranate cut side down in a bowl of cold water and let soak for 10 minutes.
- Keeping under water, pry open and use your fingers to work the arils away from the flesh, letting them fall into the water.
- Skim any white membrane off the top of the water before straining the pomegranate seeds out of the water.
Notes
- One pomegranate will yield approximately 1 cup of arils.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
Thanks for including me love! I adorrrrre poms. Your pictures are fabulous!
Nice roundup Rachel! I love pomegranates and I never knew how to get the seeds out so thanks.
Just tried pomegranate seeds this weekend at a friend’s house. Delicious! Thanks, Rachel, for the tutorial. Now I can fix my own. I hear they’re really, really good for you (antioxidants!)
Pretty pretty pictures! The way my sister and I do the pomegranates is a little different haha!
I love it when things just jump into my cart like that! :)
I love pomegranates, especially this time of year! They are totally worth all of the work to get the little seeds. My mouth is watering!
Great pictures, Rachel! We had a pomegranate tree growing up. I don’t know how I got so lucky but I’ve loved them all my life. Thanks for including my salad!
Lucky you! Happy to include you :)
I remember last summer my picky son who loves nothing but fruits decided at the grocery store he wanted a pomegranate. I was like okay- are you sure. We got home and it was the messiest but cutest thing to watch him eat it! Great tutorial so to speak:)
Oh my gosh, I bet that was adorable! I should try it with my one year old :)
thanks for sharing my link!
your blog is becoming more and more gorgeous: seriously!
Btw, I have the same bowls ;)
Aww thanks :)
I really appreciate this post because I have a BAD habit of buying the ready to eat arils.. which is so expensive!! Thanks for this :)
You betcha! I don’t think I’ve ever even seen the arils sold by themselves.
Such a great roundup and tutorial! I hate cutting into pomegranates but it’s totally worth it :)
I need to pick up a few today or tomorrow. They are going to be a star in one of my holiday cocktails :)
Ooooh can’t wait :)