How to Cut a Pomegranate

3 Steps, No Mess Method

1. Cut off the crown, then cut the pomegranate into sections.

2. Place the sections in a bowl of water, then roll out the arils (juice sacs) with your fingers. Discard everything else.

3. Strain out the water. Then eat the succulent arils whole, seeds and all.

Traditional Method

You could also prepare the pomegranate using the traditional method. Cut the crown end of a pomegranate, removing with it some of the white pith. Lightly score the skin in quarters, from the stem to the crown end. Firmly yet gently break the sections apart, following the score lines. Bend back the skin and gently scoop the seed clusters into a bowl; remove any pith.

Fanning Method

Another method is cut the pomegranate in half vertically. With the cut side up, make 4 equally spaced cuts 1 inch long and 1 inch deep. Hold the pomegranate half, cut side down, over a deep bowl and pull the fruit open but not apart, using equal pressure from both hands. Holding the pomegranate half, cut side down, in the palm of one hand, whack the top of the fruit with the back of a large spoon. The seeds will fall out.

How to Eat a Pomegranate

You see those glistening red jewels inside? They’re called arils, and they’re full of delicious, nutritious sweet-tart juice surrounding a small white crunchy seed. You can eat the whole arils including the fiber-rich seeds or spit out the seeds if you prefer – it’s your choice! The rind and the white membranes surrounding the arils are bitter and we don’t suggest eating them- although some say even that part of the pomegranate has medicinal value!

How to Juice a Pomegranate

There are three main methods to get fresh squeezed juice.

1. Juicer Method: Cut the fresh pomegranate in half as you would a grapefruit. We recommend using a hand-press juicer to juice a pomegranate. If you use an electric juicer, take care not to juice the membrane, so that the juice remains sweet. Strain the juice through a cheesecloth-lined strainer or sieve. Be cautious, as pomegranate juice can stain.

2. Blender Method: Place 1 ½ to 2 cups seeds in a blender; blend until liquefied. Pour through a cheesecloth-lined strainer or sieve.

3. Rolling Method: On a hard surface, press the palm of your hand against a pomegranate and gently roll to break all of the seeds inside (crackling stops when all seeds have broken open). Pierce the rind and squeeze out juice, or poke in a straw and press to release the juice. NOTE: Rolling can be done inside a plastic bag to contain any juice that may leak through the skin.

How to Find a Pomegranate

California pomegranates are available from October through January. Find them wherever you purchase fruit. If you are having difficulty finding fresh pomegranates, ask the Produce Manager at your favorite retailer to bring them in for you.

Some varieties can be available as early as August, while the Wonderful variety, the majority of the commercial harvest, is in season from October through January.

How to Select a Pomegranate

Pomegranates in the store have been picked when ripe, so they are ready to enjoy as soon as you buy them! A good, ripe pomegranate should feel heavy, as if it’s very full of juice (which it is!), and the skin should be firm and taut. The skin color varies from medium red to deep red with a fresh leather-like appearance. Surface abrasions do not affect the quality of the fruit.

How to Store a Pomegranate

Whole pomegranates keep well at room temperature and away from sunlight for several days and up to 3 months when refrigerated in plastic bags. Arils (seeds) can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Freeze in single layers on trays and for up to 6 months in airtight containers. Remove only the seeds you plan to use. They often lose their shape when thawed. Juice can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Freeze up to 6 months.