What You’ll Need
- Pomegranate(s)
- Knife
- Bowl of water
Step 1: Slice off the Crown
Start by using a knife to slice off the crown of the pomegranate. This is the knobby top part of the fruit. Be careful not to cut too deep into the pomegranate.
Step 2: Score the Skin
Make 4 to 6 shallow scores in the pomegranate’s skin from top to bottom. Gently slice through the red skin, being cautious not to pierce the seeds beneath. These shallow cuts will form sections to help with the next step.
Step 3: Break Apart the Pomegranate
Holding the pomegranate in both hands, apply gentle pressure around the middle to break it apart along the scored lines. This should split the fruit into separate sections, each containing delicious arils.
Step 4: Loosen the Seeds
Submerge each pomegranate section in a bowl of water. Using your fingers, gently push and loosen the arils from the pithy white membrane. The water will prevent any splattering and make the task much easier.
Step 5: Remove the Arils
With the pomegranate section still submerged, use your fingers to gently separate and scoop out the arils from the white membrane. Allow the arils to sink to the bottom of the bowl while the membrane floats to the top.
Step 6: Skim off the Membrane
After removing all the arils, skim off the floating pieces of white membrane from the surface of the water. Discard the membrane and strain the arils using a colander or fine-mesh sieve.
Step 7: Enjoy the Delicious Arils
Transfer the strained pomegranate arils into a serving bowl, and they’re ready to be enjoyed! These juicy seeds are perfect for snacking, adding to salads, or garnishing various dishes.
With this step-by-step guide, opening pomegranates has become a walk in the park. No more cutting and picking method that leaves you with stains and frustration. Now, you can effortlessly savor the taste of pomegranates at any time.
So, go ahead and buy some pomegranates from your local grocery store, follow these instructions, and indulge in the delightful experience of enjoying fresh pomegranate arils!