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How to Peel a Pomegranate

If having to peel a pomegranate prevents you from savoring the fresh taste of the juicy, delicious arils inside, follow these steps to make the process quick and easy. In this guide, you’ll discover how to select the perfect fruit and efficiently extract the seeds.

A Simple Guide for How to Peel a Pomegranate

Pomegranates are packed with delicious and juicy arils, which can be challenging to remove. However, Iโ€™ll show you a method for peeling a pomegranate that will make it easy to retrieve the juicy seeds inside without all the mess.

How to Peel a Pomegranate

How to Pick a Ripe Pomegranate

The reddest pomegranate is not always the best. My daughter gave me this advice when I brought home a couple of beautiful red pomegranates. When I cut them open, many arils (or seeds) were well past their prime. So, I asked for her advice on buying them because she eats so many and always chooses exceptionally ripe, undamaged, and juicy pomegranates.

Sophie’s Pomegranate Buying Advice

Choosing a Pomegranate

  • Darker pomegranates are usually riper than pink ones, although that is not always true.
  • If theyโ€™re too dark, they can have bad spots inside.
  • When you pick them up, you want them to be relatively firm in the dips between the membrane ridges, with a bit of give to indicate ripeness.
  • The pomegranate can be overripe if the side dips between the membrane ridges are very soft.
  • Blemishes on the outside donโ€™t always correspond to damage on the inside since pomegranates are so sturdy, so if one with more blemishes feels better than another with fewer, take the blemished one.
How to Peel a Pomegranate

Arils (Seeds)

  • When the pomegranate is peeled, the arils should be firm. Soft ones are overripe and starting to decay.
  • Ideally, arils should be dark pink or red, but lighter-colored ones can be delicious too.
  • Mushy or cloudy-looking arils are typically overripe and starting to decay.
  • If the white/yellow membrane on the inside has turned dark brown, that section of the arils is probably all bad and should just be thrown away.
  • Finally, beware of pomegranate ready-to-eat arils in a container because, many times, they have a mixture of ripe and overripe or decaying arils.

Easy Steps to Peel a Pomegranate

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies Before You Peel a Pomegranate

Before you begin, make sure you have the following supplies at hand:

  • A ripe pomegranate
  • A sharp paring knife
  • A bowl for collecting the seeds
  • A cloth or paper towel for any juice splatters

Step 2: Cut Off the Blossom End

Start by positioning the pomegranate with the crown side facing up. Make four cuts about 1/2 to 1 inch down from the bottom of the crown, just enough to reveal the fruit’s interior without cutting too deep.

Step 3: Score the Pomegranate

Next, look at the sides of the pomegranate. You will notice white membrane lines (mesocarp) that separate the segments within the fruit. These lines indicate where you can score the fruit. Starting at the top of the pomegranate, make shallow cuts down the height of the fruit, following the white segments. There are usually 4-6 areas where you can make vertical cuts around the fruit.

How to Peel a Pomegranate

Step 4: Open the Pomegranate

With the cuts made, it’s time to open the pomegranate. Gently pull apart the segments where you made the cuts. Avoid squeezing the fruit too hard, as the arils can burst and make a juicy, red mess!

Step 5: Remove the Arils

Once the pomegranate is opened, apply gentle pressure to the arils with your thumb to dislodge them. You can do this over a bowl to catch any juice and let the arils fall freely. If you are concerned about breaking the arils and squirting juice, try removing the arils underwater in a large bowl. The water will help prevent the juice from squirting, and any white membrane pieces will float to the top of the water for easy removal.

How to Peel a Pomegranate

Step 6: After You Peel a Pomegranate, Enjoy!

Now that youโ€™ve successfully peeled and extracted the seeds from your pomegranate, you can enjoy them as a healthy snack, add them to salads, or use them as a garnish for various dishes. Pomegranate seeds are delicious and rich in antioxidants and vitamins!

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