How to Open a Pomegranate

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Pomegranates are a delicious, nutritious fruit, but getting them open can seem tricky. Fortunately, there are a few simple techniques for opening this yummy fruit. If you just want to eat it, it's easiest to make shallow slices with a knife and then pull the fruit apart. If you want to remove the seeds, you can halve the pomegranate, then either submerge it in water or hit it with a spoon.

Opening a Pomegranate

To open a pomegranate without making too much of a mess, start by rolling the fruit on a cutting board to loosen the seeds. Then, cut it in half. Grasp the edges with your fingers and press it inside out over a wide bowl.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Cutting Vertically

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  1. Flatten your hand and press it over the top of the fruit. Use a firm pressure to push down on the pomegranate as you roll it over the surface of the cutting board.
    • This will make it much easier to remove the seeds.

    Variation: If your counter is clean, you may prefer to roll the pomegranate on the countertop rather than your cutting board.

  2. Use a plastic or wooden cutting board when opening a pomegranate. Since pomegranate juice stains pretty much everything, you may want to protect your cutting board with a cloth.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    [2] The top is also called the flower. Use a knife to remove the top of the pomegranate, where the nub from the stem remains. Then, pop it off like a lid. Discard it in your compost or trash. [3]
    • You might also remove the bottom of the pomegranate, but this is completely optional.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    Look inside your pomegranate and find the natural boundaries that separate the seeds, which will be white. These are the ridges. Align your knife with the centermost ridge, then slice through. [4]
    • You don't want to cut through the seeds of the pomegranate, only the white parts that make up the ridge.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    Slice your knife through each white barrier inside the pomegranate, which separates the seeds. This should create 5 slices, which will be connected at the bottom. Pull off each piece to eat the seeds . [5]
    • You can scoop the seeds out with a spoon or pick them out. The white part is bitter and fibrous, so it's best to avoid eating it.
    • The open pomegranate will look like a flower or star.

    Variation: You might prefer to cut off the bottom of the pomegranate so that the slices won't be stuck together.

  6. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    Use your hands to gently rip the pomegranate into 2 halves. They may not be even halves, depending on where the ridge was located inside the pomegranate.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Cutting Along the Side

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    With a flat palm, apply gentle pressure along the side of the pomegranate. Continue to press firmly against it as you roll the pomegranate over your clean cutting board.
    • This will make it much easier to remove the seeds.
  2. Place the pomegranate so that the fleshy side is facing the cutting board. The ends of the pomegranate should be sticking out. You may want to place a towel under the pomegranate, as the juice stains. [6]
    • It's a good idea to wear rubber gloves, as pomegranates can stain your fingers.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    Slice the center first, then make 2 cuts approximately .25 inches (0.64 cm) from both the top and bottom. Cut just into the skin of the pomegranate, careful not to cut down into the seeds. [7] The fruit should still be in one piece after you make the cuts. [8]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    You should be able to pop the top and bottom off like a lid. Then, discard them in your compost or trash bin. You should be able to see the seeds. If not, pull away any flesh that's still covering the seeds. [9]
    • On the top, a bit of the calyx, which is the name of the stem or crown, may still be lodged into the fruit. If it is, remove it gently.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    Make the same shallow cuts that you did before. Be sure that you don't cut all the way through the fruit, as you don't want to cut the seeds. [10]
    • This will make it easier to pull your pomegranate apart to eat it.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    Just like before, your cut should only pierce the skin. Don't push your knife all the way through the fruit.
    • At this point, your pomegranate will be exposed on the top and bottom. Additionally, it will have 5 shallow cuts along its skin.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    [11] Stick your thumbs into the center cut, then tear the pomegranate into 2 halves. Next, push your thumbs into the other 2 shallow cuts you made and tear apart the slices. This will create several small chunks of pomegranate, which you can eat. [12]
    • You should see lots of tasty seeds inside your pomegranate pieces.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Submerging in Water to Remove Seeds

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  1. [13] Use clean water, as you'll be consuming the pomegranate seeds. Add enough water to the bowl to cover both halves of the pomegranate.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    There's no need to cut off the top or bottom if you're just removing the seeds. Just make a thin cut through the skin of the pomegranate. Don't cut deeply, as you don't want to cut the seeds.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    Dig your thumbs into the side of the pomegranate, then gently pull the fruit apart. The sides should be roughly even, but it's okay if they're not.
    • Removing the seeds will be easier if the pieces are even.

    Variation: If you want to get the seeds out faster, you can make 2 additional shallow lines on the fruit. Then, rip the pomegranate into 4 pieces. This will expose more of the surface area, so the seeds will come out faster.

  4. After it's been in the water for a few minutes, you'll start to see the white parts, called the pith, floating away from the pomegranate. As it does, the seeds will come out.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    The white pith will float and the seeds will sink. When most of the seeds are out, you'll be able to invert the skin to get out the remaining seeds. When you're finished, you'll be left with the skeleton of the pomegranate, like two inverted caps.
    • You may need to pull some seeds out of the pith, if they're stuck.
  6. [14] Take out the skin, then skim off the white pith. Throw these in your compost or trash bin. Then, slowly pour the water and pomegranate seeds over a kitchen strainer. This will collect the seeds, which you can place in a bowl for use.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Removing the Seeds with a Wooden Spoon

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    Use a knife to just cut through the skin itself. Don't cut through the pomegranate, as you don't want to slice through the seeds. [15]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    Stick your thumbs through the slice, then tear the pomegranate apart. This should leave 2 separate slices that are nearly even.
    • If the slices are uneven, that's okay. However, if one slice is very big, then it's best to pull it apart again. Simply slice through the skin, then tear it into 2 slices. This will make it easier to get the seeds out.
  3. Hold the pomegranate by the side or place it in your splayed palm. Position the fruit over a medium to large bowl that's big enough to catch the seeds as they fall.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Pomegranate
    This will knock the seeds out of the pomegranate and into the bowl. Continue to hit the pomegranate until all of the seeds come out.
    • Once you finish with one half, repeat the process to de-seed the other side.

    Tip: As you hit the pomegranate, some juice might splash out of it. This juice can stain fabric and surfaces.

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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What is the easiest way to open a pomegranate?
    Ollie George Cigliano
    Private Chef & Food Educator
    Ollie George Cigliano is a Private Chef, Food Educator, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in utilizing fresh, fun ingredients and mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques. Ollie George holds a BA in Comparative Literature from The University of California, Berkeley, and a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from eCornell University.
    Ollie George Cigliano
    Private Chef & Food Educator
    Expert Answer
    Remove the stem at the top of the fruit using a paring knife. Next, score the sides by cutting the skin between the ridges from top to bottom. If you can’t feel the ridges, just make about six evenly spaced cuts around the fruit. Then, pull it apart with your thumbs.
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    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 11
  • Question
    How do I eat a pomegranate?
    Community Answer
    After opening the pomegranate, you can remove the red seeds and eat them as is. You can also use them in a parfait, fruit salad, jam, etc.
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    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 17
  • Question
    I planted some pomegranate in Jos Plateau State, Nigeria. I get one or two fruits once in a while. How can I improve the fruiting?
    Blue Prism
    Community Answer
    Check the quality and acidity of the soil, or use a fertilizer or nutrient rich compounds.
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      Tips

      • A large pomegranate can yield around 1 teaspoon to one tablespoon of juice, which can be collected easily if the fruit is opened over a dish or bowl.
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      Warnings

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      Things You'll Need

      • Cutting board
      • Knife
      • Bowl or plate
      • Rubber gloves (optional)
      • Bowl of water (for submerging method only)
      • Strainer (for submerging method only)

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      References

      1. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview. 31 January 2022.
      2. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview. 31 January 2022.
      3. ↑ https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a23305734/how-to-cut-pomegranate/
      4. ↑ https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a23305734/how-to-cut-pomegranate/
      5. ↑ https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a23305734/how-to-cut-pomegranate/
      6. ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/how-to-peel-a-pomegranate-easily-and-quickly-1684743
      7. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview. 31 January 2022.
      8. ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/how-to-peel-a-pomegranate-easily-and-quickly-1684743
      9. ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/how-to-peel-a-pomegranate-easily-and-quickly-1684743
      1. ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/how-to-peel-a-pomegranate-easily-and-quickly-1684743
      2. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview. 31 January 2022.
      3. ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/how-to-peel-a-pomegranate-easily-and-quickly-1684743
      4. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview. 31 January 2022.
      5. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview. 31 January 2022.
      6. ↑ https://thecafesucrefarine.com/easy-way-to-remove-pomegranate-seeds/
      7. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview. 31 January 2022.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To open a pomegranate, first you'll need to prepare your work space. Since pomegranate juice can stain, put on some gloves and cover your cutting board with a cloth. Next, place your pomegranate on the cutting board and cut off the crown of the fruit, removing it like a lid. Then slice the skin along the white ridges visible on the inside of the fruit, being careful not to slice into the seeds. Once you’ve cut along each ridge, pull the sections apart. You can eat the seeds, or arils, straight from the sections or you can separate them gently in a bowl of water to prevent making a mess with the juice. To learn more about separating the seeds with water, read on!

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