Susan Cline - ITEC 745- Art of Eating a Pomegranate

Opening Procedure >>Watch the Demonstration >> Quiz Yourself

Opening a pomegranate can prove challenging and many pomegranate eaters often end up with a sticky red mess on their kitchen counters or even worse, their clothes! If you study the steps listed below you will be able to easily cut into the pomegranate and open it like a flower bud.

Steps to Open a Pomegranate

Choose a a red pomegranate with taut skin and no visible cracks or bruises. When you pick up the pomegranate it should feel heavy with juice.

Cut a circle around the top of the pomegranate roughly four or five inches in diameter. This is similar to cutting the top off of a jack-o-later.

Remove the top and discard. You should be able to see the red seeds beneath. If you are only seeing the white part you need to cut away a larger circle.

You will see five membranes appear in the shape of a star. Slice skin deep along each of these membranes.

After making the cuts, gently pry the pomegranate apart. It will begin to open up like a fan.

Break off each piece and gently turn inside out and scrape the seeds into a bowl.
(Hint: Submerging the sections in a bowl of cold water may make it easier to remove the seeds)