How to Eat a Pomegranate – Frog Hollow Farm

Pomegranates are one of the more enticing – yet perplexing – fruits many encounter. The red, round exterior often grabs attention, and chances are, you might have tasted its tart flavors in another dish – from a cocktail to avocado toast.

Yet, preparing pomegranates sometimes feels like a mystery – or a puzzle. The fruit is filled with juicy seeds, and cutting one open therefore needs to be precise. In the right direction or formation, you end up with halves or quarters from which you can scoop out these seeds. If you make a misguided or ill-informed move, however, the bright-colored juice runs all over.

With pomegranate season here, learn more about how to cut open, prepare and eat this fruit:

What is a Pomegranate?

Pomegranates grow on eponymously named trees that stand up to 30 feet tall. Symbolically associated with fertility and abundance, the fruits themselves range anywhere from two to five inches in diameter, often featuring a round shape and red exterior. Inside are clusters of edible seeds – known as arils – that, once ripe, give off a sweet, tangy taste. Many choose to scoop or cut these seeds out to eat, juice or add directly to a dish.

For your diet, pomegranates deliver a number of benefits:

• The seeds and juice provide significant amounts of polyphenols – an anti-inflammatory compound that helps reduce the effects of free radicals and aids digestion.
• A serving of pomegranate seeds or juice provides a source of vitamin C.
• Likely due to its anti-inflammatory effects, pomegranates are considered a heart-healthy food – particularly regarding blood circulation and cholesterol control.

Pomegranate season typically lasts from September or October into December. To enjoy this delicacy, make sure the fruit is fully ripe: The outside will feel thick and display a bright red hue.

How to Eat a Pomegranate

Pomegranates are one of the most versatile ingredients around. Add the seeds for a tangy punch to fruit salads, cereals, yogurt or avocado toast, or sprinkle them onto savory dishes as a garnish. Or, explore the possibilities of juicing: Enjoy the reddish-purple juice on its own, add the seeds to a smoothie or incorporate the puree into a cocktail or sangria recipe.

To access the seeds, consider using any of the following methods:

Scooping

Perhaps the simplest approach, you’ll start by cutting the pomegranate directly down the middle. Then, you’ll use a metal or wooden spoon to scoop out the seeds into a bowl or to eat directly. You may need to hit the back of the pomegranate a few times to dislodge the seeds from the membrane.

Cut Up the Pomegranate

You might want to consider cutting the pomegranate into smaller sections.

To start, cut off the flower-shaped stem at the top. Then, take a knife to score or make incisions into the thick pith, cutting from the top to the bottom. You’ll want to make at least six cuts. Understand that if you go too deep, you may cut into the seeds and cause the juice to run.

After, pull the fruit apart along your incisions, and pry the seeds out of the pith. Consider collecting the seeds inside a bowl, or submerging each segment in water to detach the seeds. In this latter case, the pith and membrane float to the surface, and the seeds sink to the bottom.

Juicing

Especially for smoothies and cocktails, consider directly juicing the seeds. To do so, start by cutting the pomegranate in half. Then, squeeze one of the halves in a hand-pressed juicer. Realize that pieces of the membrane and pith, known for a bitter taste, may end up in the juice, so be sure to strain the liquid afterward.

As another option, press one half down with your hand and then repeatedly roll over it with a rolling pin until the hard exterior cracks. At this point, you’ll want to continue rolling and squeezing – either into a tray or plastic bag – to fully release the juice and seeds.

Or, for a puree, scoop out the seeds and place them into a blender.

Additional Options

For using the full pomegranate, the membrane and pith can be composted. Or, as they’re edible, consider grinding them up to use as animal feed.

Pomegranates can last up to four weeks in your refrigerator. If you have multiple pomegranates, consider freezing the seeds to prolong their lifespan. Pomegranate seeds last for up to 12 months in the freezer and can be enjoyed by themselves, juiced or pureed once defrosted.

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Looking for fresh, California-grown pomegranates? Place an order today through Frog Hollow Farm to have a box of this fruit sent directly to your door.