How To Open a Pomegranate ~ Pomegranates can be a tricky fruit to open but there is a secret to opening them that is utterly simple.
When I was 16, I learned how to properly open a pomegranate AFTER being laughed at and mocked for the way I was opening one.
I guess it was too much fun for them all to watch me mutilate this poor defenseless fruit to actually stop me. Finally, after I opened it or hacked it open, my friends took a fresh, Michelle-free pomegranate and I was taught how to open one correctly.
I have been using pomegranates in several recipes lately. I love working with seasonal fruits but it occurred to me that there are some that do not know how to open one properly. Since I used to be a teacher, why not ‘teach’ you all how to open one?
How to Open a Pomegranate
1. Holding the fruit firmly and with a sharp knife, slice through the flesh about an inch and a half or so from the top and go cleanly around.
2. Widen the sliced top or “skull” and pull it off, almost in a ripping or tearing motion.
3. The “skull” has been removed. Push off the seeds still adhering to the cap and place them in a bowl.
4. You will notice there are chambers in the pomegranate. Some fruits will have as few as four, some may have eight, it just depends.
5. Following the line of each chamber, starting at the top, slice the flesh downward along that chamber wall.
6. Once all the chamber walls have been sliced through, grab one section and pull it down.
7. Repeat for each chamber.
8. Once each chamber has been pulled down, there will be a small piece of “core.” Seeds will be inside this section as well. Work them loose by hand.
9. Pull off each chamber piece. There will be pieces of the connective wall along the base of each chamber. Peel off as much of it as you can.
10. Place one chamber in the palm of your and, seeds facing down.
11. Using a wooden spoon or mallet, pound the back of the pomegranate. This will work the seeds out. NOTE: In the image, I used the handle of a knife. PLEASE DO NOT do it this way until you are more experienced opening these. Use the mallet, spoon or any heavy handled utensil.
12. After several strong knocks with the your spoon or mallet, the seeds will fall into your hands. Repeat for each chamber and enjoy them as they are or in your favorite recipe.
Are there any other fruits or veggies you want to learn to deal with? If so, leave me message in the comments.
22 Comments
Dan from Pltter Talk
January 19, 2015 at 8:01 amThanks for this post; I love to learn about different ways to skin a cat and so many people claim ignorance on getting the delicious arils from this wonderful fruit.
Michelle
January 19, 2015 at 9:59 amSkinning a cat…I’ll add that to the list! 😉
Mike Benayoun
January 19, 2015 at 8:31 pmGlad this technique is working for you. My technique is to immerse quarters of the pomegranate in a large bowl of water and take the seeds out underwater. 1/ it’s easier. 2/ it doesn’t make a mess as all the “splashes” happen underwater 😉
Michelle
January 19, 2015 at 9:21 pmI have never tried that, but have heard about it.
Darla
January 20, 2015 at 8:48 amI am so happy you did this post! Thank you! Now, let’s see something on artichokes!
Michelle
January 20, 2015 at 8:58 amArtichokes…ok. Thanks Darla for stopping by.
Lovefoodies
January 20, 2015 at 1:40 pmLooking forward to seeing Darla’s challenge on the artichokes 🙂
Great post and very helpful. Now I don’t need to use a pesky toothpick anymore. thank you!
Michelle
January 20, 2015 at 1:45 pmThank you LF…Look for artichokes in the spring when they come in season.
Healing Tomato
January 23, 2015 at 6:29 pmI had no idea that it was so easy to open a pomegranate. I have always struggled with it or paid extra to have it de-seeded
Michelle
January 23, 2015 at 9:27 pmI’m paid plenty to have it de-seeded as well.
Marye
July 23, 2015 at 6:58 amVery good to know, now I need to go buy some pomegranates to practice on!
Michelle
July 23, 2015 at 11:02 amIt’s really kind of fun to open them.
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer
July 23, 2015 at 10:15 amLove pomegranates, hate opening them! Great tutorial! I also use the water technique because this saves the mess from all the juices damaging clothes and counters.
Michelle
July 23, 2015 at 11:04 amI need to try the water method.
Lauren @ Wicked Spatula
July 23, 2015 at 5:07 pmI remember the first time I opened a pomegranate…I was wearing a white shirt and by the end the counters, my shirt, the floor and everything in between was covered in pink juice. This looks much easier than the method I used haha!
Michelle
July 25, 2015 at 12:34 pmHope this method will spare all future shirts for you.
Sabrina
July 23, 2015 at 7:04 pmI grew up eating pomegranate ALL the time, this is exactly how I deseed it too!
Michelle
July 25, 2015 at 12:34 pmExcellent!
Jennifer Stewart
July 23, 2015 at 7:14 pmI love fresh pomegranates but every time I try to open one I get sprayed with juice! I have even tried opening them underwater like other videos say to do. I am going to try this way and I probably won’t need an apron!
Michelle
July 25, 2015 at 12:36 pmStill wear one, there is the occasional squirt-age when you rupture a cell.
Pam
December 30, 2015 at 7:50 amI had never tasted a pomegranate until Thanksgiving of last year. I didn’t know what I had been missing! I found out that the seeds can be frozen so I can enjoy them in the off season too! When taken out of the freezer they taste like fresh from the pomegranate.
Michelle De La Cerda
January 3, 2016 at 11:39 pmThat is a fantastic tip, thank you for sharing that with me. I would love to use them in the height of summer, but they just aren’t available. Going to stock up!