Q&A for How to Eat a Pomegranate

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  • Question
    Can you eat the white part of 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.
    Private Chef & Food Educator
    Expert Answer
    Though the white part is safe to eat, it’s bitter and most people choose to discard it.
  • Question
    Can you eat the peel of 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.
    Private Chef & Food Educator
    Expert Answer
    The skin can be eaten, but since it is very fibrous and bitter, it is generally reserved to use in extracts and powdered forms.
  • Question
    How do I know when pomegranates are ripe?
    Community Answer
    Pomegranates are ripe when the skin is reddish-pink. It will also have a very large crown.
  • Question
    How can I open up a pomegranate?
    Community Answer
    Find that out in the article, or cut in half, then whack it with a spoon or something hard. Make sure it's not something that can break! Don't eat the yellow part though. It tastes bitter, and it is considered inedible.
  • Question
    Do pomegranates have juice?
    Community Answer
    Yes, they do. Pomegranate juice is also sold in most stores.
  • Question
    I find the pomegranate seeds bitter. How do I correct that?
    Community Answer
    There isn't really a way to make pomegranate seeds any less bitter. They may just be an acquired taste for you.
  • Question
    Can I swallow the seeds?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can eat the seeds. In fact, they are the primary edible part of the fruit.
  • Question
    Can a pomegranate be processed in a juicer?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but only the seeds. If you do the whole thing it will be very bitter. You might want to soak the seeds in a bowl for about ten minutes first.
  • Question
    I love to mix the whole arils (seeds) in my yogurt, but is there such a thing as "too much"? Usually I eat almost half of a pomegranate for one yogurt.
    Community Answer
    You would have to eat a very large amount for it to have any adverse effect. Half a pomegranate, or a whole pomegranate, per day is totally fine.
  • Question
    Can kids eat pomegranates?
    Community Answer
    Yes, kids can eat pomegranates.
  • Question
    Where can I find pomegranates?
    Community Answer
    You may find them at most local stores in late summer through fall.
  • Question
    Are pomegranates sweet or bitter?
    AnonymousSuperWriter
    Community Answer
    If you choose ripe pomegranates, they can be very sweet with a hint of sourness. Just keep in mind that the seeds can be a little bitter.
  • Question
    How do I eat the fruit without eating the actual seed?
    Community Answer
    You really can't do that. The fruit and seed are one piece.
  • Question
    Can I eat pomegranate if I am diabetic?
    Community Answer
    Yes. In the proper quantities, it can be part of any healthy diet.
  • Question
    Will pomegranate seeds be tastier if I heat them in a conventional or microwave oven?
    Community Answer
    Pomegranate seeds are much better chilled, but they can be used in recipes that involve baking or cooking as well.
  • Question
    Will it hurt to eat the skin?
    Ellie
    Community Answer
    It won't poison you and make you drop dead, but it will give a stomach ache. There's no real benefit to eating it, so there's no point.
  • Question
    Can I plant the seeds of a pomegranate?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. Check articles Germinate Pomegranate Seeds and Grow a Pomegranate Tree for more info.
  • Question
    Can I eat the flesh of a pomegranate?
    Ellie
    Community Answer
    The pomegranate doesn't have flesh, only seeds. And yes, you can eat the seeds. In fact, the seeds are the edible part of the fruit.
  • Question
    I tried to eat a pomegranate, and it was nothing but hard inedible seeds. What was wrong with it?
    Ellie
    Community Answer
    It probably wasn't ripe yet. Try another one that shows the signs of being ripe (see above) - it'll taste much better!
  • Question
    Is it harmful for me to eat the white seeds inside the red seeds?
    Community Answer
    No, it's not harmful at all. In fact, it's just extra fiber, which can be good for your digestive system.
  • Question
    What vitamins are there in pomegranates?
    Ellie
    Community Answer
    A large pomegranate has around 28 mg of Vitamin C; is jam-packed with Vitamin B; and contains 0.2 mg of vitamin B6, 107 mg of folate, 0.8 mg of niacin, and 0.1 mg of riboflavin!
  • Question
    Should I only eat the seeds of a pomegranate?
    Ellie
    Community Answer
    Yes. The other parts are really bitter and not appetizing at all.
  • Question
    Should I cut a pomegranate in quarters?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can cut it in small pieces like an apple and start removing the seeds. Holding both ends of a pieces and wriggling it can loosen the seeds.
  • Question
    Will pomegranates stain my clothes?
    Community Answer
    The juice can stain clothes. The stain will be easy to wash, just soak in water and do what you usually do for washing.
  • Question
    Do pomegranates contain a lot of acid?
    Community Answer
    Pomegranates are very alkaline but they do contain some punicic acid, mostly found in the seeds. Even if it wasn’t in there, you shouldn’t eat the white part anyway.
  • Question
    Do pomegranates need to be refrigerated?
    Community Answer
    No, but you can refrigerate them to make them last longer.
  • Question
    How long do I let the pomegranate sit in water when I want to eat it?
    Community Answer
    There is not really a specific time. You will know it's done when the seeds are mainly out.
  • Question
    Will pomegranates ripen after they are off the tree?
    OLIVIA CHANG
    Community Answer
    No because they need the tree to give then nutrients. So, it won't ripen after it has been cut off the tree.
  • Question
    What are the benefits of eating pomegranates?
    Todd
    Community Answer
    They're rich in antioxidants, fibers, and minerals, and have a variety of other benefits such as fighting type 2 diabetes.
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