How to eat a pomegranate: cutting & deseeding

Opening pomegranates properly is an annoying task for many. This trick makes cutting and removing seeds from pomegranates easy as pie. Find out how to eat a pomegranate here.

Hobby gardeners keep asking us about the best way to eat pomegranate. But cutting and opening a pomegranate really is not magic. In this article, you will find out how to remove the seeds cleanly and without a mess. We will hand you detailed instructions and helpful pictures.

How to eat a pomegranate

The bright red to pink fruit of the pomegranate originates from West and Central Asia. Over time, however, the Mediterranean region has also developed into an area where this fruit can be cultivated. Today pomegranates are enjoyed worldwide. Especially at the start of pomegranate season in early autumn, you always wonder how to properly cut and open the fruit. How can you slice the fruit without spilling the juice all over the place? How to take the healthy seeds out of the pomegranate – without making a giant mess – is described below.

Before cutting open the pomegranate

For a start, it is advised to use a cloth and perhaps a kitchen apron. Pomegranate juice is rather difficult to remove from textiles. A sharp (but not too large) knife is also basic equipment for successfully opening the fruit.

Before making the first cut, be sure to hold on to the pomegranate in order to not cut yourself. Somewhat older pomegranates sometimes have a very hard skin, on which even sharp knives can slip off easily, so be careful when cutting.

Cutting open a pomegranate: instructions

1. Make a circular cut to remove the upper part

Cut in a circle around the calyx. Do not cut too deep (about 5mm) so as to not poke into the small individual fruit chambers. Carefully lift off the ‘lid’ of the pomegranate

2. Make side cuts on the pomegranate

Now, search for the dividing lines (the white mesocarp) of the individual segments. Most pomegranates have 4 to 6 fruit segments. Make a cut along each separating skin down to the tip of the pomegranate.

3. Open the pomegranate

Now you can carefully open the fruit. Simply remove the white part in the middle with your fingers.

4. Remove the pomegranate seeds

The beautiful, garnet-red, sliced fruit is ready before your eyes. The fruit chambers can easily be removed with a finger or a small spoon and the pomegranate seeds are yours.

Alternative method: You can also fill the sink with water and then take the individual pomegranate seeds out under water. This method helps avoid spattering pomegranate juice.

Using pomegranates

With this trick you can easily cut and open a pomegranate. What you then make out of this healthy fruit is entirely up to you. Pomegranate seeds can be used as an ingredient in all kinds of dishes. For breakfast, you can eat the pomegranate seeds in muesli or yoghurt, for example. The fruit can also enrich salads with its crunchiness. In Southern Europe and the Near and Middle East, pomegranate juice and pomegranate syrup are an essential part of the cuisine. Pomegranate syrup is also great for refining salad dressings, sandwiches, wraps and falafel. It is evident that a great variety of recipes include pomegranate as an important ingredient.

What is more, pomegranates are also very healthy. For example, it is rich in the mineral potassium as well as iron and B vitamins. In terms of calories, there are about 83 kilocalories (kcal) per 100 grams in pomegranate.

To conclude, the pomegranate is definitely a great addition to any cuisine and now you know how to open it easily.

Did you know that pomegranates can also be cultivated in our latitudes? In a pot, you can grow a pomegranate on the terrace or in the winter garden. In this article we will introduce you to other fruits for growing in pots.