How To Deseed a Pomegranate in 10 Seconds

Deseeding a pomegranate quickly and efficiently without creating a mess might seem challenging, but with the right technique, you can do it in about 10 seconds. Here’s a step-by-step guide to deseeding a pomegranate swiftly:

Materials Needed:

• A pomegranate
• A sharp knife
• A bowl of water (optional, but useful for reducing mess)
• A wooden spoon or a similar tool

Instructions:

1. Score the Pomegranate:
   • Start by slicing off the crown (top) of the pomegranate to reveal the inner bright red seeds.
   • Score the skin of the pomegranate from top to bottom along its natural ridges. Pomegranates typically have between five and six sections. Be careful not to cut too deep; you only want to slice through the skin.
2. Open the Pomegranate:
   • Over a bowl, gently pull the pomegranate apart with your hands to divide it into sections along the scores you made. If done correctly, it should break apart into clean sections along the natural divisions of the fruit.
3. Deseed in Water (Optional but Recommended for Less Mess):
   • Fill a bowl with water and submerge the pomegranate sections under the water.
   • Use your fingers to gently roll out the seeds into the bowl. The seeds will sink to the bottom, and the white membrane will float to the top.
   • This method not only minimizes the juice splattering but also makes it easier to separate the seeds from the membrane.
4. The Wooden Spoon Method:
   • If you choose not to use water, hold a pomegranate section over a bowl, seed side down.
   • Tap the back of the pomegranate with a wooden spoon forcefully. The seeds should fall out into the bowl below. Rotate the section as you tap to get as many seeds out as possible.
5. Clean and Serve:
   • If you used the water method, remove any floating pieces from the water and drain the seeds.
   • The pomegranate seeds (arils) are now ready to eat or use in your recipes.

Tips:

• Wear an Apron: Pomegranate juice can stain, so wearing an apron or using protective clothing might be a good idea.
• Freshness Counts: Fresh pomegranates tend to deseed more easily. Overripe or underripe fruits may be more challenging to work with.

Using these techniques, you can quickly deseed a pomegranate and enjoy the fruit’s delicious seeds with minimal waste and clean-up.