Wondering how to cut pomegranate and how to eat pomegranate? We have all your pomegranate eating tips — a fun, healthy fruit snack for kids and easy fruit recipes!
HOW TO CUT, DE-SEED, AND EAT A POMEGRANATE
If you’ve never had fresh pomegranate, you (and the kids!) are in for a treat. It’s a healthy snack to eat on its own and to use in food and pomegranate recipes!
However, opening a pomegranate can be … intimidating.
Which part do you eat?
Which part do you discard?
Are pomegranate seeds poisonous?
Before we get to how to cut a pomegranate, let’s answer some of these common questions.
First…
What are pomegranates?
Pomegranates are fruits full of edible arils, the pulpy part around the seeds. Pomegranates come from the Mediterranean region.
When are pomegranates in season?
Pomegranates are in season around late October into early November. You’ll start seeing them show up in the grocery stores. They’re great to incorporate into your fall fun or holiday recipes!
What is the aril of a pomegranate?
Pomegranate arils are the red, fleshy part around each seed. They are a combination of a sweet and tart fruit taste. You can eat the arils and the seeds that are in the arils.
Arils, or arillus, are not just specific to pomegranates.
How do you eat pomegranate?
You only eat the red arils (and the seeds if you want). You don’t eat the outer peel or the spongy inner flesh. To eat the pomegranate, remove the top and score pomegranate in a cross. Pull apart sections and then remove the arils and seeds, which can be eaten fresh or added to recipes. Discard the other parts of the pomegranate.
Is it safe to eat pomegranate seeds?
Yes, the crunchy pomegranate seeds inside the pulpy arils are perfectly safe to eat. The arils, or the juice-filled pulp, is difficult to remove from the seed, but you could spit the seeds out after eating the arils.
Pomegranate seeds are a perfect addition to a Bethlehem dinner!
How To Use Pomegranate Seeds
What goes well with pomegranate?
You can eat the pomegranate arils (and seeds) alone (with a spoon right from the fruit!), or you can use them in:
- Oatmeal
- Cold cereals
- Yogurt
- Salads
- Smoothies
- Cheese platters
- Drinks
- Holiday or festive dips
- Desserts
- Spread on bread or crackers
Want some more pomegranate recipes and ideas? Grab a pomegranate cookbook!
How To Cut Pomegranate Easily
This is super fun activity for kids to open and de-seed pomegranates.
TIP: The pomegranate juice is very red and can stain, so be careful what you’re wearing when you cut a pomegranate (and it squirts — we splattered two shirts in the process!).
It can make a mess, so prepare your surfaces and clothes for that. (It’s projects like this that I find those disposable kid aprons helpful!)
Pomegranate How To Open
One pomegranate has a ton of arils (seeds). Store them in a container in the refrigerator until you're ready to eat them!
Materials
- Pomegranate
Tools
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Bowl with cold water
Instructions
STEP 1: CUT OFF THE TOP.
Find the top with the "bellybutton" (what my daughter calls the "stem" part) side. Slice off the top, about 1/4-inch.
(Don't miss any seeds in the part you cut off! Be sure to scoop them out!)
STEP 2: SCORE THE POMEGRANATE
On the top where you sliced it, cut a "cross" a little ways down into the fruit.
This will help you section the pomegranate.
STEP 3: SUBMERGE THE POMEGRANATE INTO THE BOWL OF WATER
While in the water, gently pry apart the sections of the pomegranate where it is scored.
Work through each section and scoop out all the seeds into the water.
(Discard the peel and white spongy inside.)
Remove arils/seeds from water and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
