Pretty in pink.
Pomegranates are one of the most beautiful and tasty fruits around. But knowing how to cut a pomegranate, de-seed a pomegranate, and eat one requires a bit of know-how. Here’s everything you need to know about pomegranates.
Turn each section inside-out over a bowl, then peel off the seeds.
All About Pomegranates
Pomegranates are those magenta-colored, softball-shaped fruits usually seen in grocery stores in winter months. Less common than the “usual” fruit like bananas, oranges, and apples, pomegranates deserve a spot in your produce rotation when they come around. They can seem intimidating to cut and eat, but they are not!
Pomegranates are native to Iran and neighboring Middle Eastern countries. But pomegranates are now cultivated in dry, warm places across the Mediterranean, southern United States, and South America.
What are pomegranates?
Pomegranates are those magenta-colored, softball-shaped fruits usually seen in grocery stores in winter months. Pomegranates are native to Iran and neighboring Middle Eastern countries. But pomegranates are now cultivated in dry, warm places across the Mediterranean, southern United States, and South America.
Pomegranate season generally runs from October through January. Like citrus season, pomegranates offer a bright, colorful food in what can be a gloomy, gray season.
When are pomegranates ripe? Here’s how to pick out a good pomegranate.
Pomegranates you see in the grocery store will have already been picked ripe: They will look big and pink. Because these pomegranates are ripe, the question is really about not choosing an overripe one.
Your pomegranate should look “happy”: think bright pink, round, and the texture of glossy leather. Don’t choose one that looks dull, dented, brown, bruised, or withered.
How to pick out a pomegranate:
To pick out a healthy, ripe pomegranate:
- Choose a pomegranate that feels heavy for its size. This is actually a good rule of thumb for citrus as well. The heavier it feels for the size, the juicier it will be.
- Choose a pomegranate that’s round with a little gloss, not dented, bruised, or withered
After scoring the pomegranate down the length of each pith line, peel each section back.
How to cut a pomegranate (and eat one!)
Cutting a pomegranate is fun — so is eating one!
To cut a pomegranate:
- Put on an apron! The juice is bright and likes to squirt a bit. You may also want to use a plate for cutting; the juice can stain a wooden cutting board, which will have to be specially cleaned.
- Rinse the pomegranate. It’s always a good idea to start by washing your fruit. Pomegranates are very hands-on.
- Use a sharp knife to score a circle around the top of the pomegranate, around the bud-like tip, almost like you’re making a lid. You want to go through the skin, but no further.
- Peel the “lid” off. It should come up fairly easily, revealing lobes of deep magenta seeds, or arils.
- See how there’s a star shape of pith inside with 5 spokes extending to the outer rind? On the outside of the pomegranate, score a knife along the length of each pith line from top to bottom.
- Peel back each lobe or section. Do this face-down, as some arils will fall out and some juice will spray. Some people do this over a bowl — good idea!
- Use your hands to turn each section inside-out, and use your fingers to nudge the seeds from the pith. Some people use the “beat with a wooden spoon” method, but this never works for me.
Do you eat the pomegranate seeds? What about the rind?
Yes, you eat the pomegranate seeds, also called arils. In fact, that’s the only thing you do eat on a pomegranate! Discard the rind and pith.
What do pomegranates taste like?
I love the taste of pomegranate. Pomegranates taste tart and just sweet enough. I think of the taste as a crunchy, jewel-like, more juicy, more palatable version of cranberries, though some people liken them to a citrus flavor.
Are pomegranates healthy?
Very. Pomegranates are extremely nutritious, and loaded with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Pomegranate seeds are anti-inflammatory, and also may have cancer-fighting properties and may help with heart disease and more.
As with all fruits, you will get increased health benefits from eating the whole fruit vs. the juice. Juice loses fiber and other vitamin and mineral content, and increases the sugar volume.
Ways to use pomegranate in food
I love to snack on pomegranate seeds on their own. But they made wonderful additions to:
Other ideas for using pomegranate seeds:
- Garnish roasted winter vegetables like Brussels spouts or squash
- Use the juice to make cocktails
Love learning about how to cut and eat a pomegranate? You’ll also like this guide to dragon fruit.
How to Cut and Eat a Pomegranate
Ingredients
- 1 ripe pomegranate
Instructions
- Grab a knife and put on an apron! The juice is bright and likes to squirt. You may also want to use a plate for cutting; the juice can stain a wooden cutting board, which will have to be specially cleaned.
- Start with clean hands and rinse the pomegranate. It's always a good idea to wash your fruit, and pomegranates are very hands-on.
- Use a sharp knife to score a circle around the top of the pomegranate, around the bud-like tip, almost like you're making a lid. You want to go through the skin, but no further. Peel the "lid" off. It should come up fairly easily, revealing lobes of deep magenta seeds, or arils.
- See how there's a star shape of pith inside with 5 spokes extending to the outer rind? On the outside of the pomegranate, score a knife down the length of each pith line from top to bottom. Peel back each lobe or section. Peel each section back face-down, as some arils will fall out and some juice will spray. I suggest doing this over a bowl.
- Keeping each section of pomegranate face down, use your hands to turn each section inside-out, then use your fingers to nudge the seeds from the pith into the bowl. Eat or serve as you like.
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