How to Cut a Pomegranate in 7 Steps

Pomegranate is a fruit-bearing shrub in the Lythraceae family; it produces pomegranate fruit with a hard, leathery rind and bright ruby-red seeds full of tart, sweet juice. A pomegranate can contain anywhere from 200 to 1,400 seeds.

Pomegranate seeds are edible, as are the white pith and the thin membranes between the seeds. The seeds contain fiber, and the fleshy arils that surround the seeds are a great source of antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium.

To cut a whole pomegranate and remove the seeds, follow these simple steps:

1. 1. Gather your materials. To cut and deseed a ripe pomegranate, you will need a sharp knife, a cutting board, and a bowl of water. Keep paper towels or a cloth towel nearby to clean up any juice splatters.
2. 2. Place the fresh pomegranate on a cutting board. Slice off the stem end of the pomegranate—you may need to apply pressure to cut it.
3. 3. Divide the pomegranate into wedges. Through the cut top of the pomegranate, you will see the seeds, the white membrane surrounding the seeds, and the skin of the pomegranate. Using a paring knife, make a shallow cut where the white membrane or pith appears thickest, cutting through the husk and into the white membrane, though not deep enough that you cut the arils. Repeat this cut around the pomegranate until you have five or six cuts that divide the pomegranate into wedges.
4. 4. Separate the pomegranate wedges. Using your hands, grip the pomegranate with your thumbs at the top cut end. Applying pressure, rip the pomegranate apart.
5. 5. Deseed the pomegranate in water. Prepare a bowl of cold water. Put the pomegranate pieces in the water, and use your hands to remove the seeds from the white pith under the water. The seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl, and the water will help remove the excess pith, which floats.
6. 6. Remove the pith. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pith from the large bowl. Drain the water from the pomegranate with a strainer.
7. 7. Clean your workspace. Be sure to clean up any pomegranate juice splatter immediately to prevent red juice stains.

You can store pomegranate seeds in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can also freeze the pomegranate seeds by laying them in a single layer on a baking sheet for two hours, then moving the seeds to a freezer bag. Pomegranate seeds will keep in the freezer for months.

You can eat pomegranate seeds as a snack, put them in a fruit salad, or use them as a garnish for ice cream. You can also blend the seeds into a smoothie or use them to make juice. To make pomegranate juice, separate the arils from the membrane, then pulse the seeds in a blender for approximately ten seconds. You can also press the seeds in a juicer over a bowl. You can lessen the sourness of the pomegranate juice by adding sugar.

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