How to Cut and De-Seed a Pomegranate

Pomegranate seeds/arils are beautiful and delicious - but how exactly do you get all those seeds out?! A pomegranate is about the size of an apple and contains multiple compartments, each tightly packed with seeds. Sources disagree as to the exact number of seeds within each pomegranate; some sources believe there are exactly 613 seeds (the same number of commandments in the Torah), while other allow for a margin for +/- 200 seeds.

When selecting a pomegranate at the store, choose one that seems heavy for its size. Color and darkened spots on the outside of the pomegranate do not indicate quality - the skin of a pomegranate is very thick and protects the seeds from damage. If you don't plan to use your pomegranate within a few days of buying it - put it in the refrigerator. While you can buy containers of pomegranate seeds, it's much less expensive (and not very difficult) to extract the seeds yourself!

A warning in advance: pomegranate juice will stain your clothes - wear an apron!


Directions:

1. Wash your pomegranate, then cut off about a 1/2-inch of the top of the pomegranate
2. Score (make shallow cuts) to the outside skin of the pomegranate from the top to the base. Make 5-6 evenly spaced cuts
3. Fill a large bowl with water. Hold the pomegranate under water and pull apart the fruit. The pomegranate should divide where you scored the skin. Gently push all the seeds out of the skin using your fingers
4. The pomegranate seeds will sink to the bottom of your bowl of water, while any pith/membrane and skin will float to the surface of the water. Remove large portions of skin, then skim off the pith with a spoon or your fingers
5. Strain the water from the seeds and rinse the seeds briefly under cold water