Tips for deseeding Pomegranates

The pomegranates’ juicy red seeds (known as arils) can be a bit messy so our first tip is not to wear white when cutting one open!

There are various techniques for extracting the arils from a pomegranate. For the best results, we suggest giving these methods a go:
 

Under Water Method (Our favourite because it's not so messy!)

You will need a large bowl 3/4 fullof cold water, a colander, a small strainer, a cutting board and a paring knife.  Follow these instructions and use the photos below as a guide to cutting a pomegranate.

• Make a circular cut approximately 2cm down from the crown at the top of the fruit.  (Don't cut off the top of the pomegranate!)
• Place the tips of your fingers under the cut line and carefully lift the rind at the top of the fruit.
• Segments containing the arils will now be exposed.
• Make cuts down the sides of the pomegranate in line with the white pith separating each seed chamber. (The cuts need to be deep enough to reach the pith inside as well as long enough to reach the bottom of the fruit.)
• Submerge the pomegranate in the bowl of water, place both thumbs firmly on top of the pomegranate and your fingers on the base of the fruit.
• As you gently pull the fruit apart, the segments will come away from each other making it easy to remove the centre pith and access the arils.
• Using a rubbing action with your thumbs, carefully separate the arils from the pith.  The arils will sink to the bottom of the bowl.
• Once all arils have been removed,  place the skin and pith in the bin and use the small strainer to scoop off pith which has floated to the surface.
• Stir the arils at the bottom of the bowl of water to release remaining pith.
• Once satisfied that all pith has been removed, pour the bowl of water and arils into the colander.
• Voila! The red arils are now separted and ready to eat!

The Naughty Method
 

• Using a large sharp knife and wearing rubber gloves, cut the pomegranate in half around the middle. (Don’t cut from top to bottom.)
• Place one half of the fruit face down on to your open hand in the bowl.
• Using a heavy wooden or metal spoon, firmly smack the back of the fruit to make the arils fall to the bottom of the bowl.

The Deseeder Removal Tool Method
 

• These gadgets are available on EBay. Simply search ‘pomegranate deseeder tool’.
• Using a large sharp knife, cut the pomegranate in half around the middle. (Don’t cut from top to bottom.)
• Place one half of the fruit face down on to the holey disc in the deseeding tool.
• Put the cover on and using a heavy wooden or metal spoon, repeatedly knock the cover to make the arils fall to the bottom of the bowl.