How to Eat a Pomegranate

Start With Fresh Pomegranate(s)

Look for plump, rounded pomegranates. They dry out as they're stored, and older specimens will have started to shrink a bit as the thick skin starts to close in on the seeds. Pomegranates should feel heavy for their size and be free of cuts, slashes, or bruises.

Pomegranates do not ripen after they're picked but bruise easily when ripe. This means a lot of pomegranates are picked a bit under-ripe. You are much more likely to find truly ripe, fresh pomegranates at farmers markets, co-ops that get deliveries directly from farmers, and farm stands.

Cut the Top Off the Pomegranate

Cut off and discard the top of the pomegranate, being sure to cut off enough of the top to reveal the bright red seeds underneath.

Score the Pomegranate

Use a sharp knife to cut just through the peel of the pomegranate from stem to end along the white sections that run from the center to the peel between the seeds—there should be six sections to score between. Note that you are cutting into but not through the pomegranate. 

Pull the Pomegranate Into Sections

Pull the pomegranate apart into halves or sections. Follow the sections of the pomegranate as divided by the white pith as much as possible (this is where the fruit will naturally pull apart in most cases) and using the scored cuts you made to help you out.

Break the pomegranate sections into slightly smaller pieces for easier handling. It's best to do this over a clean work surface or bowl—wherever you plan on putting the seeds when you're done since some seeds tend to fall out of the pomegranate at this stage. 

Peel off and discard the bits of the white membrane covering the clusters of pomegranate seeds.

Flip Pomegranate Sections & Open Inside-Out

Working over a clean work surface or bowl, turn each pomegranate section "out." Take the edges of the section and pull them back towards you to push the seeds out towards the bowl.

Gently rub or "pop" each seed off the pith or inside peel of the pomegranate. Ripe pomegranate seeds will come off the pith relatively easily, although you may need to remove a bit of pith at the seeds' ends where they were attached to the peel.

Marvel at Your Pomegranate Handiwork

Repeat Step 5 for each section of the pomegranate, then step back and behold the pile of beautiful shiny pomegranate seeds bright and ready to eat—unsullied by a soak in water as many methods recommend—and creamy white pith ready for the compost heap or garbage can.

Each medium size pomegranate will yield about 1 cup of seeds. Use them in salads, drop them in drinks, or enjoy them straight-up.