Ok friends, it’s time to set aside the recipes for a moment, and instead give you a very simple tutorial that might just save your Christmas clothes from almost certain stains. It’s time you learned, if you don’t know already, how to cut a pomegranate.
Are you ready? First, a few preliminaries.
What are pomegranates?
Pomegranates are a beautiful red fruit with a thick leathery skin and hundreds of red jewel-like seeds on the inside, surrounded in a tart, delicious juice.
Are pomegranates good for you?
Yes! Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants, and their juice seems to provide an endless list of health benefits (source), making them a tasty superfood.
What does pomegranate taste like?
The flavour of pomegranates is bright and tart, with a clear, red juice and crunchy texture (due to the seeds). I would describe the taste as similar to a tart apple juice mixed with red raspberry and cranberry.
When are pomegranates in season?
Pomegranates are in season from September to January, depending on where they are harvested. In my part of the world, pomegranates usually become available for purchase between November-December, which makes them (in my mind) a perfect Christmas fruit.
How to cut a pomegranate… and juice it!
There are a number of ways to do this, but here is a simple, quick method:
- Follow my tutorial for how to cut a pomegranate (below).
- Remove the seeds.
- Place the seeds into a food processor or blender.
- Pulse a few times to break the seeds open, and then press them through a fine mesh sieve to separate the juice from the seeds.
Ways to eat pomegranates
Pomegranates are best, in my opinion eaten fresh, right out of the skin. You can, however, also drink the juice on its own, use pomegranate molasses (reduced pomegranate juice, cooked down to a dark syrup) in cooking and baking, or use the little seeds in cooking or baking of your own.
I have also used the little jewel-like seeds to decorate cakes occasionally.
How to Cut a Pomegranate (In 4 Easy Steps!)
Here we go, step by step: here’s how to cut a pomegranate!
You will need:
- Pomegranate
- Sharp paring knife
- Serving bowl
1 – Cut around the top
First, cut a shallow slit all the way around the top of the pomegranate (with a paring knife), like so:
2 – Remove the top
Now, pull the top off. You might pierce a few seeds in the process, but no matter. There are plenty more where those came from!
3 – Score the skin
Using your paring knife to score about 4 shallow slits from the top to the bottom of the pomegranate, about 1/4 of the way around the fruit for each.
4 – Open it up
Finally, pull it open. Gently remove the seeds and peel away the membrane, bending the peel back to expose more seeds as you go.
Now, for a holiday bonding opportunity: set a bowl of a bunch of these quarters in the middle of of the table at your next family gathering. Happy health food puzzles for everyone.
And there you have it: how to cut a pomegranate in 4 easy steps.
If you liked this post, you may also like:
- Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange
- Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider
- How to Freeze Apples for Baking and Cooking
- Strawberry Raspberry Smoothie
- Easy Homemade Rhubarb Sauce
- Easy Strawberry Marmalade
That’s it! If you found this little tutorial helpful, let me know in the comments!
Bye for now,
–Naomi
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