How To Deseed A Pomegranate (In Pictures!)
So it is time I tell you about my little addiction with pomegranates.
It has been going on hard-core for about three years now.
Actually, I only ever tried a pomegranate around three years ago, but all I needed was one handful and I was hooked. Now every year I get crazy excited seeing the boxes full of big, bright red pomegranates in the grocery. They are fall and winter’s power fruit and if I had the time to peel one every single day I totally would.
Actually, three years ago I did.
I de-seeded a pomegranate every single day of the fall and winter that year, and that was while taking college algebra, some kind of science class that involved way too many labs (ugh), advanced english and two other classes that have thankfully slipped from my brain.
My point is, I have de-seeded my fair share of pomegranates and kind of love the way I do it.
It is the easiest, fastest and least messy way I have found. Plus, it leaves all those pretty arils untouched and allows them to drop off in picture perfect form! If you think it is too much work, just get over it!! You gotta do it, arils taken straight from the pomegranate itself are so much better than the little containers you can get at the store. And a whole lot cheaper!
This was kind of a last minute post, but I realized after photographing like a gazillion recipes involving pomegranates the last few days that maybe I should let you in on my favorite way to get to those gorgeous arils!
Oh and I really hope you guys dig pomegranates. I have a few recipes with them coming at you soon!
Ok, first fill a large bowl with water. I normally make it super warm water, but that is only because it is stinkin cold here and the warm water feels awesome!
So… take your pomegranate and slice just the very top off. Do not go too far down or you will cut the seeds.
Alight now sit your pomegranate upright and make four slits around the pomegranate’s skin, but do not cut all the way through. You just want to break through the tough skin, making it easy to break the pomegranate open. I like to only cut just a little into the pomegranate instead of slicing all the way through. This way there is less juice spraying and all my pomegranate arils stay nice and pretty!
Throw the split pomegranate into the bowl of water and break it into four sections.
Working under water use your fingers to pry away the seeds from the peel and membranes. The seeds will sink to the bottom of the water while pieces of membrane will float to the top, making it easier to separate the membranes from the seeds.
Once you have removed all the seeds from the membrane, skim the top of the water with your hands and discard or pour off any remaining membranes. Normally I just pour those white membrane thingies right into the sink. But be careful not to go too fast, you do not want to accidentally dump the arils into the sink.
That is such a bummer.
Trust me, I know.
Drain the pomegranate arils.
And you are done!
Pretty easy, right?
And so pretty! I just cannot stop with these. I want to take picture after picture of these things! And then I want to shovel handful after handful into my mouth. They are so good!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
How I Deseed My Pomegranates (In Pictures!)
By halfbakedharvest
Course: fruit
Cuisine: American
Get the most out of this delicious fruit
Ingredients
- pomegranates
- colander
- water
- sharp knife
Instructions
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Fill a large bowl with water
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Take your pomegranate and slice just the very top off. Do not go too far down or you will cut the seeds.
-
Now sit your pomegranate upright and make four slits around the pomegranates skin, but do not cut all the way through. You just want to break through the tough skin, making it easy to break the pomegranate open.
-
Submerge the whole pomegranate in the bowl of water and break it into four sections. Working under water use your fingers to pry away the seeds from the peel and membranes. The seeds will sink to the bottom of the water while pieces of membrane will float to the top, making it easier to separate the membranes from the seeds.
-
Once you have removed all the seeds from the membrane, skim the top of the water with your hands and discard or pour off any remaining membranes. Drain the pomegranate arils. EAT!!
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The arils last a while in the fridge, at least 4 to 5 days in a covered container, but they always, always get eaten within a day around here!
Can’t get enough.
Recipes using pomegranates:
Crispy Kale Salad with Couscous, Grilled Chicken and Pomegranates
Pomegranate Chocolate Chip Muffins
autumn arugula salad with caramelized squash + pomegranate ginger vinaigrette (How Sweet It Is)
Submerging in water – so helpful! They won’t fly around everywhere that way!
It seriously works so well! You will love it!
I have never had a pomegranate or ate anything with it in it.
You have to try them, Charlotte!! They are so incredible!
So helpful – thanks for sharing!
Of Course, Ali!! Thanks for reading! 🙂
So SO pretty!!!
Thanks Alaina!
I have actually never had a pomegranate seed!
Oh no!! You have to go and buy a pomegranate now! So good!
Best thing EVER!!
Seriously!!
Thanks Todd!
Will have to try this! I have never had a pomegranate either!
You have to try a pomegranate, Kathy! They are so good!
I love pomegranate so much, but loathe deseeding them. Great tips!
Thanks Jenna!
I have eaten pomegranate seeds before, but never have deseeded one. You make it look really easy.
YOu have to give it a try. it is pretty easy and the end product is so good!
I have to say a huge thank you, as I bought one of these a few days ago and its still sitting in my fridge, as I too LOVE them just so much work to get to the best parts..the “ants.’ When I lived in Southern California there was a pomegranate tree behind the house. My sister in law use to make wine out of them and it was so amazing.. 😉 Now i just love them in a spinach salad. So delicious. thanks for the great tip!!.
Hope you love the tip, Patricia! It works great for me!
I love pomegranates! We used to have a pomegranate tree in my backyard growing up, and all the kids on our block would go home with bright pink faces and hands stained from the berries. Such great memories. I never realized how expensive they are, though! In the store they run 2 for $5 (on sale) around here… geez!!
Ha! No way, that sounds awesome!! And yes, they are so expensive! Such a bummer!
Great tutorial, I use this method too and it is such a time saver!
Thanks Laura! It really is a good way!
Please keep thwiorng these posts up they help tons.
So far they have sent two advertisements, one for viagra and the other a mind majik website, they must have my contact list, how can i stop them?
Awesome post! I’m a little scared of pomegranates because I don’t know how to deseed them but these directions are great! Thanks!
Don’t be scared, it is so easy! Hope you give it a try!
Thanks Jen!
I used the same method too. It is the best way to do it. I used my pomegranate to make juice and then syrup. 🙂
Pom syrup is SO good!!
I can’t stand to lose one tiny piece either. That’s why I use my thumbail to carefuly take off the top stem and work my way through the pith (that’s what it’s called, right? I can’t remember for sure) to each lovely section. With each new pomegranate, I challenge myself (ok- I’m clearly OCD) on plucking out as many whole seeds as possible without causing a single one to lose it’s juicy insides. My partner thinks I’m nuts- but what else is new?
Hah! I am the same way!
Your pictures make those poms look gorgeous!! Love!
Thanks Jocelyn!
I used to do it like you, but a year ago I came across another method and it works so so much better and quicker. Here is Martha doing a little demonstration.
Thanks Amanda! I am headed to check this out now!
Oh my goodness, I’m addicted to pomegranates too and this is how I deseed them. I try and make one last three days but seriously, I could eat one in just one sitting. I’m so excited for them to be in season. Stopping by from Tidy Mom.
I totally think I have eaten one in a whole siting! LOL! Thanks Angela!
Thanks for this post. I’ve had a pomegranate in my fridge for over a week now because I’ve been to scared to cut it open. Last time was a messy disaster!
Cut into that thing already!! SO good! Hope you love this method!
OMG, how easy. I already ruined like 10 shirts while trying to do it properly. Thank you so much for sharing this!
You are so welcome! Hope this helps you!
http://youtu.be/znJgWpk71ZQ
THIS YouTube video contains the fastest way to de-seed a pomegranate. It takes 10 seconds.
This worked great! Thank you for publishing. I love your recipes and your beautiful pictures!!