4 Ways To Open A Pomegranate - WikiHow

Skip to ContentQuizzes

• PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
• QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games ForumsArts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and Garden Relationship QuizzesCars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and Style Sports and FitnessComputers and ElectronicsHealthPets and Animals TravelEducation & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and Religion Work WorldFamily LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationships Youth
• LOG IN

  Log in

  Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. Facebook Google wikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
• RANDOM

• Home
• Random
• Browse Articles
• TrendingNew
• Quizzes & Games
• All QuizzesHot
• Love Quizzes
• Personality Quizzes
• Fun Games
• Dating Simulator
• Learn Something New
• Forums
• Courses
• Happiness Hub
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow

• Log in / Sign up

Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

• Categories
• Food and Entertaining
• Food Preparation
• Food Cutting Techniques

How to Open a Pomegranate Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Cutting Vertically 2 Cutting Along the Side 3 Submerging in Water to Remove Seeds 4 Removing the Seeds with a Wooden Spoon + Show 1 more... - Show less... Other Sections Expert Q&A VideoWATCH NOW Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Ollie George Cigliano and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: September 9, 2024 Approved

Download Article ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was co-authored by Ollie George Cigliano and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA. Ollie George Cigliano is a Private Chef, Food Educator, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in utilizing fresh, fun ingredients and mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques. Ollie George holds a BA in Comparative Literature from The University of California, Berkeley, and a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from eCornell University. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 99% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 882,592 times.

Pomegranates are a delicious, nutritious fruit, but getting them open can seem tricky. Fortunately, there are a few simple techniques for opening this yummy fruit. If you just want to eat it, it's easiest to make shallow slices with a knife and then pull the fruit apart. If you want to remove the seeds, you can halve the pomegranate, then either submerge it in water or hit it with a spoon.

Opening a Pomegranate

To open a pomegranate without making too much of a mess, start by rolling the fruit on a cutting board to loosen the seeds. Then, cut it in half. Grasp the edges with your fingers and press it inside out over a wide bowl.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 4:

Cutting Vertically

Download Article

1. 1 Roll the pomegranate on your cutting board to loosen the seeds. Flatten your hand and press it over the top of the fruit. Use a firm pressure to push down on the pomegranate as you roll it over the surface of the cutting board.
   • This will make it much easier to remove the seeds.

   Variation: If your counter is clean, you may prefer to roll the pomegranate on the countertop rather than your cutting board.

2. 2 Position your pomegranate in the middle of the cutting board. Use a plastic or wooden cutting board when opening a pomegranate. Since pomegranate juice stains pretty much everything, you may want to protect your cutting board with a cloth.
   • Additionally, it's helpful to wear rubber gloves while you're cutting a pomegranate, as your fingers might get stained.
   • You can also work above a water bowl to contain the juice that stains easily. [1]
   Advertisement
3. 3 Cut the top (flower) off of the pomegranate.[2] The top is also called the flower. Use a knife to remove the top of the pomegranate, where the nub from the stem remains. Then, pop it off like a lid. Discard it in your compost or trash.[3]
   • You might also remove the bottom of the pomegranate, but this is completely optional.
4. 4 Slice the pomegranate in half, along the ridges. Look inside your pomegranate and find the natural boundaries that separate the seeds, which will be white. These are the ridges. Align your knife with the centermost ridge, then slice through.[4]
   • You don't want to cut through the seeds of the pomegranate, only the white parts that make up the ridge.
5. 5 Cut each of the ridges to create 5 slices for easy eating. Slice your knife through each white barrier inside the pomegranate, which separates the seeds. This should create 5 slices, which will be connected at the bottom. Pull off each piece to eat the seeds.[5]
   • You can scoop the seeds out with a spoon or pick them out. The white part is bitter and fibrous, so it's best to avoid eating it.
   • The open pomegranate will look like a flower or star.

   Variation: You might prefer to cut off the bottom of the pomegranate so that the slices won't be stuck together.

6. 6 Tear the pomegranate apart if you just want to remove the seeds. Use your hands to gently rip the pomegranate into 2 halves. They may not be even halves, depending on where the ridge was located inside the pomegranate.
Advertisement

Method 2 Method 2 of 4:

Cutting Along the Side

Download Article

1. 1 Roll your pomegranate on the cutting board to loosen the seeds. With a flat palm, apply gentle pressure along the side of the pomegranate. Continue to press firmly against it as you roll the pomegranate over your clean cutting board.
   • This will make it much easier to remove the seeds.
2. 2 Put your pomegranate on its side on a cutting board. Place the pomegranate so that the fleshy side is facing the cutting board. The ends of the pomegranate should be sticking out. You may want to place a towel under the pomegranate, as the juice stains.[6]
   • It's a good idea to wear rubber gloves, as pomegranates can stain your fingers.
3. 3 Make 3 shallow slices down the middle, at the top, and at the bottom. Slice the center first, then make 2 cuts approximately .25 inches (0.64 cm) from both the top and bottom. Cut just into the skin of the pomegranate, careful not to cut down into the seeds.[7] The fruit should still be in one piece after you make the cuts.[8]
4. 4 Tear or cut off the top and bottom of the fruit. You should be able to pop the top and bottom off like a lid. Then, discard them in your compost or trash bin. You should be able to see the seeds. If not, pull away any flesh that's still covering the seeds.[9]
   • On the top, a bit of the calyx, which is the name of the stem or crown, may still be lodged into the fruit. If it is, remove it gently.
5. 5 Turn the pomegranate so the cut sides face out, then slice again. Make the same shallow cuts that you did before. Be sure that you don't cut all the way through the fruit, as you don't want to cut the seeds.[10]
   • This will make it easier to pull your pomegranate apart to eat it.
6. 6 Roll the pomegranate to the other side, then make a shallow cut. Just like before, your cut should only pierce the skin. Don't push your knife all the way through the fruit.
   • At this point, your pomegranate will be exposed on the top and bottom. Additionally, it will have 5 shallow cuts along its skin.
7. 7 Use your thumbs to pull the pomegranate apart.[11] Stick your thumbs into the center cut, then tear the pomegranate into 2 halves. Next, push your thumbs into the other 2 shallow cuts you made and tear apart the slices. This will create several small chunks of pomegranate, which you can eat.[12]
   • You should see lots of tasty seeds inside your pomegranate pieces.
Advertisement

Method 3 Method 3 of 4:

Submerging in Water to Remove Seeds

Download Article

1. 1 Fill a large bowl with fresh, cool water.[13] Use clean water, as you'll be consuming the pomegranate seeds. Add enough water to the bowl to cover both halves of the pomegranate.
2. 2 Make a shallow cut down the side of your pomegranate. There's no need to cut off the top or bottom if you're just removing the seeds. Just make a thin cut through the skin of the pomegranate. Don't cut deeply, as you don't want to cut the seeds.
3. 3 Use your thumbs to tear the pomegranate into 2 halves. Dig your thumbs into the side of the pomegranate, then gently pull the fruit apart. The sides should be roughly even, but it's okay if they're not.
   • Removing the seeds will be easier if the pieces are even.

   Variation: If you want to get the seeds out faster, you can make 2 additional shallow lines on the fruit. Then, rip the pomegranate into 4 pieces. This will expose more of the surface area, so the seeds will come out faster.

4. 4 Place the 2 halves in the water. After it's been in the water for a few minutes, you'll start to see the white parts, called the pith, floating away from the pomegranate. As it does, the seeds will come out.
5. 5 Use your fingers to nudge the seeds free, if they're stuck. The white pith will float and the seeds will sink. When most of the seeds are out, you'll be able to invert the skin to get out the remaining seeds. When you're finished, you'll be left with the skeleton of the pomegranate, like two inverted caps.
   • You may need to pull some seeds out of the pith, if they're stuck.
6. 6 Strain the pomegranate seeds into a bowl.[14] Take out the skin, then skim off the white pith. Throw these in your compost or trash bin. Then, slowly pour the water and pomegranate seeds over a kitchen strainer. This will collect the seeds, which you can place in a bowl for use.
Advertisement

Method 4 Method 4 of 4:

Removing the Seeds with a Wooden Spoon

Download Article

1. 1 Make a shallow slice in the side of your pomegranate. Use a knife to just cut through the skin itself. Don't cut through the pomegranate, as you don't want to slice through the seeds.[15]
2. 2 Use your thumbs to pull your pomegranate into 2 halves. Stick your thumbs through the slice, then tear the pomegranate apart. This should leave 2 separate slices that are nearly even.
   • If the slices are uneven, that's okay. However, if one slice is very big, then it's best to pull it apart again. Simply slice through the skin, then tear it into 2 slices. This will make it easier to get the seeds out.
3. 3 Place one half, seed side down, over a bowl. Hold the pomegranate by the side or place it in your splayed palm. Position the fruit over a medium to large bowl that's big enough to catch the seeds as they fall.
4. 4 Hit the skin of the pomegranate with a wooden spoon. This will knock the seeds out of the pomegranate and into the bowl. Continue to hit the pomegranate until all of the seeds come out.
   • Once you finish with one half, repeat the process to de-seed the other side.

   Tip: As you hit the pomegranate, some juice might splash out of it. This juice can stain fabric and surfaces.

Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question

• Question What is the easiest way to open a pomegranate? Ollie George Cigliano Private Chef & Food Educator Ollie George Cigliano is a Private Chef, Food Educator, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in utilizing fresh, fun ingredients and mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques. Ollie George holds a BA in Comparative Literature from The University of California, Berkeley, and a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from eCornell University. Ollie George Cigliano Private Chef & Food Educator Expert Answer Remove the stem at the top of the fruit using a paring knife. Next, score the sides by cutting the skin between the ridges from top to bottom. If you can’t feel the ridges, just make about six evenly spaced cuts around the fruit. Then, pull it apart with your thumbs. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 12
• Question How do I eat a pomegranate? Community Answer After opening the pomegranate, you can remove the red seeds and eat them as is. You can also use them in a parfait, fruit salad, jam, etc. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 18
• Question I planted some pomegranate in Jos Plateau State, Nigeria. I get one or two fruits once in a while. How can I improve the fruiting? Blue Prism Community Answer Check the quality and acidity of the soil, or use a fertilizer or nutrient rich compounds. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 17

See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Read Video Transcript

Tips

• A large pomegranate can yield around 1 teaspoon to one tablespoon of juice, which can be collected easily if the fruit is opened over a dish or bowl. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• Be careful when handling a knife. Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 3
• Pomegranates can easily stain anything their juice touches.[16] Wear appropriate clothes and/or gloves while dealing with this fruit. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1

Advertisement

Things You'll Need

• Cutting board
• Knife
• Bowl or plate
• Rubber gloves (optional)
• Bowl of water (for submerging method only)
• Strainer (for submerging method only)

You Might Also Like

How toClean a Pomegranate How to Cut, Deseed, and Eat a Pomegranate The Best Way to Cut, Deseed & Eat Pomegranates How toSelect and Store Pomegranates How to Cut and Peel a Pomelo How toPeel a Grapefruit How toCut a Grapefruit How toClean Pumpkin Seeds How toPeel a Persimmon How toPrepare Grapefruit for Serving How toCut a Passion Fruit How toPeel an Avocado How Do You Eat Mangosteen? How toCut Pears Advertisement

References

1. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview
2. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview
3. ↑ https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a23305734/how-to-cut-pomegranate/
4. ↑ https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a23305734/how-to-cut-pomegranate/
5. ↑ https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a23305734/how-to-cut-pomegranate/
6. ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/how-to-peel-a-pomegranate-easily-and-quickly-1684743
7. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview
8. ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/how-to-peel-a-pomegranate-easily-and-quickly-1684743
9. ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/how-to-peel-a-pomegranate-easily-and-quickly-1684743

More References (7)

10. ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/how-to-peel-a-pomegranate-easily-and-quickly-1684743
11. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview
12. ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/how-to-peel-a-pomegranate-easily-and-quickly-1684743
13. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview
14. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview
15. ↑ https://thecafesucrefarine.com/easy-way-to-remove-pomegranate-seeds/
16. ↑ Ollie George Cigliano. Private Chef & Food Educator. Expert Interview

About This Article

Co-authored by: Ollie George Cigliano Private Chef & Food Educator This article was co-authored by Ollie George Cigliano and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA. Ollie George Cigliano is a Private Chef, Food Educator, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in utilizing fresh, fun ingredients and mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques. Ollie George holds a BA in Comparative Literature from The University of California, Berkeley, and a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from eCornell University. This article has been viewed 882,592 times. 22 votes - 99% Co-authors: 50 Updated: September 9, 2024 Views: 882,592 Categories: Featured Articles | Food Cutting Techniques Article SummaryX

To open a pomegranate, first you'll need to prepare your work space. Since pomegranate juice can stain, put on some gloves and cover your cutting board with a cloth. Next, place your pomegranate on the cutting board and cut off the crown of the fruit, removing it like a lid. Then slice the skin along the white ridges visible on the inside of the fruit, being careful not to slice into the seeds. Once you’ve cut along each ridge, pull the sections apart. You can eat the seeds, or arils, straight from the sections or you can separate them gently in a bowl of water to prevent making a mess with the juice. To learn more about separating the seeds with water, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Spanish Portuguese Italian Dutch Russian French Indonesian Chinese Arabic Vietnamese Hindi Thai Korean Turkish Czech Japanese

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 882,592 times.

Reader Success Stories

• 

  Carmen Cuizon

  Oct 27, 2017

  "It follows the procedures exactly as they were shared and you personally select the one that suits your fancy...." more

More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Ollie George Cigliano Private Chef & Food Educator Co-authors: 50 Updated: September 9, 2024 Views: 882,592 99% of readers found this article helpful. 22 votes - 99% Click a star to add your vote

Carmen Cuizon

Oct 27, 2017

"It follows the procedures exactly as they were shared and you personally select the one that suits your fancy...." more

Casey Brown

Jun 21, 2019

"I have never cut a pomegranate before. This article was so helpful, thank you!"

Shiva Rama Krishna P.

Dec 28, 2016

"I refer to wikiHow to enrich my knowledge. Excellent service."

Leslie Sevilla

Nov 26, 2017

"Made everything easy for me. Very helpful and informative." Rated this article:

Anonymous

Dec 3, 2017

"It was nice to know the options. And the photos helped!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

What Fruit Am I QuizTake QuizIQ TestTake QuizFinish the Phrase QuizTake QuizDo I Have Common Sense QuizTake QuizDo I Have Trypophobia (Fear Of Tiny Holes)Take QuizEmoji TestTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

How toClean a PomegranateHow to Cut, Deseed, and Eat a PomegranateThe Best Way to Cut, Deseed & Eat PomegranatesHow toSelect and Store Pomegranates

Featured Articles

215+ Funny & Creative Personalized Vanity Plate Ideas100+ Creative Ways to Say Good NightWhy Can't I Sleep Quiz150+ Love Paragraphs to Make Him Feel SpecialWhat Does Your Tattoo Placement Mean? Spiritual & Aesthetic Meanings19 of the Rarest Wonders from around the World

Trending Articles

How toMake OutAm I a Gigachad or Totally Chopped?How Rare Is My Birthday Quiz180 Good Comebacks & Savage Roasts to Win Any ArgumentWhat Are the Gay Male Body Types (And Which Do You Have?)Random Fortune Generator

Featured Articles

What Is the Fun Scale? The 3 Types of Fun & Their BenefitsWhat Is My Aesthetic QuizHow to Celebrate Xmas: Expert Advice on Enjoying the HolidaysHilarious Clean Jokes That’ll Make Adults & Kids LaughAm I Ready For A Relationship QuizWhy Is He Ignoring Me? 12 Possible Reasons (Plus, What to Do)

Featured Articles

A Complete Style Guide for the Gamine Kibbe Body TypeHow to Tell if You’re in LoveWhich Chaotic Evil Villain Am I QuizWhat Does It Mean If Someone Tries to Kill You in Your Dream?200+ Best Questions to Ask Someone You Like (Texting & IRL)How Beautiful Am I Quiz

Watch Articles

How toWrap a Round GiftHow toSteam in an OvenHow to Make Plant-Based Meat: 4 Incredible RecipesHow toClean a Silver Necklace4 Easy Ways to Open a Can of SodaHow toPart Your Hair

Trending Articles

Is Your Personality More 6 or 7?What Should My Name Really Be QuizIs a Guy You Don't Know Well Interested in You?Which Classic Christmas Movie Character Am I?Can We Guess If You're a Cat or Dog Person?What’s My Demigod Fatal Flaw Quiz

Quizzes & Games

What Pasta Shape Am I QuizTake QuizHow Disgusting Am I QuizTake QuizBible Trivia QuizTake QuizGuess the Food QuizTake QuizMemory TestTake QuizWhat Age Is My Brain QuizTake Quiz

• Categories
• Food and Entertaining
• Food Preparation
• Food Cutting Techniques

wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Jobs
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info
• Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Let's do this! X --784