As winter approaches, one fruit that you find in abundance is the pomegranate. Easily available around the world, this fruit has a visual appeal and is good for your health. Pomegranates are high in antioxidants and other nutrients. Plus, they have absolutely zero fat or cholesterol.
The red, juicy arils (the seed pods) have culinary uses in both savory and sweet recipes. However, the troublesome part is removing the seeds without making a mess. It takes a lot of time and effort to peel and deseed them.
Furthermore, if not deseeded properly, the thick skinned part can spoil the overall taste when bitten with the teeth.
If you feel the need for a live demonstration, then you can tune into this video to deseed your pomegranate in less than 30 seconds.
Deseeding a pomegranate can be easy and fast, minus the mess, if you do it the right way.
Contents
Steps to Deseed a Pomegranate in less than 30 Seconds
Things you’ll need:
- Pomegranate
- Sharp knife
- Medium-size bowl
- Cutting board
- Wooden spatula (preferably with a flat back)
Step 1: Cut off the crown
Thoroughly wash the pomegranate and examine it carefully. You will notice two protruding parts - the crown and the little stem.
Put the pomegranate on the cutting board and use a sharp knife to remove the crown. Cut the crown horizontally.
Step 2: Make small cuts around the outer surface
Once the crown is removed, you will see thin lines separating the arils inside the pomegranate. Use those lines as a guide to make small cuts through the fruit’s skin.
The cut should be from top to bottom and should not be very deep. This will help the pomegranate arils remain nice and juicy!
Try to make about 5 or 6 such cuts.
Step 3: Loosen up the seeds
Grasp the pomegranate in your hands and use your thumbs to gently pry on the sides of the skin. This will help loosen the skin, exposing the arils.
It is best to work over a medium-size bowl, so that any loose arils drop into the bowl and reduce the chance of waste.
Step 4: Turn the fruit upside down
Turn the pomegranate upside down in the palm of your non-dominant hand. Make sure your hand is over the bowl.
Step 5: Hit it with a wooden spatula
Hold a sturdy wooden spatula in your dominant hand and start hitting the top surface of the pomegranate. Make sure to hit firmly, not simply tapping it. The force with which the spatula hits the skin will loosen the arils.
Allow the loose arils that accumulate in your palm to drop into the bowl. Within a few seconds, all the arils will come out unharmed and ready for eating. You may have to adjust your grip on the fruit while hitting the sides to remove all the remaining arils.
Step 6: Discard the membrane
Along with the arils, some of the white membrane may also fall into the bowl. Simply pick them out and discard them.
Eating the white membrane along with the arils will give it a bitter taste.
Now that the arils have come out easily and without any mess, it is time to enjoy your favorite fruit.
You can eat the arils right away or store them in an airtight container or zippered bag in the refrigerator. Arils will remain fresh in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Sprinkle some arils over salads and desserts.
Additional Tips
- While deseeding a pomegranate, chances are high of getting ugly stains on your fingers. If this happens, cut a lemon in half and rub it on your fingers for a minute. The stain will come out quickly.
- To remove any pomegranate juice stain from the cutting board, rub it with white vinegar or lemon juice.
- Always wash any fruit before cutting to reduce the risk of transferring bacteria from the outer surface into the edible part.
- As pomegranates are very acidic, the arils may react with metals, such as aluminum or carbon steel. So, avoid storing them in metal containers.
Summary of How to Deseed a Pomegranate in Less Than 30 Seconds:
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