Seed a Pomegranate

Once you've managed to open a pomegranate, you can go right ahead and eat it. But if you take the time to separate the arils (those fleshy red pockets of flavor that contain seeds) from the white skin they're attached to, your pomegranate eating experience will be less messy and better enjoyed.

Seed Removal by Hand Method

 * 1) [[Image:Pomegranate_Cut_in_half_378.jpg|thumb|Sliced in half]]Follow the steps in How to Open a Pomegranate to minimize the arils lost. Alternatively, after cutting off the top and bottom, just slice or break the pomegranate into halves or fourths. It would be a good idea to wear latex or vinyl gloves to keep your hands from being sticky and red. Pomegranate juice will stain.
 * 2) [[Image:Pomegranate_ _Pick_out_seeds_702.jpg|thumb]]Remove each aril with your fingers and place into a bowl. You can use a gentle scraping motion with your fingertips (or a spoon) to remove more than one at a time.

Seed Removal in Water Method

 * 1) Open the fruit by following the detailed instructions at How to Open a Pomegranate.
 * 2) [[Image:Pomegranate_4_ _Fill_Bowl_with_Water_220.jpg|thumb|Fill a large bowl]] Fill a large bowl with water.
 * 3) [[Image:Pomegranate_5_ _Place_quartered_in_water_662.jpg|thumb|Drop cut pomegranate into the water]] Place quartered pomegranate into the water.
 * 4) [[Image:Pomegranate_6_ _Use_fingers_to_pick_out_985.jpg|thumb|Break the seeds out]] Use your fingers to break the seeds out.
 * 5) [[Image:Pomegranate_7_ _Use_strainer_to_pick_out_white_561.jpg|thumb|Scoop it out]] Remove the white fiber that you won't want to eat. It will conveniently float at the top of the water.
 * 6) [[Image:Pomegranate_8_ _Rinse_and_eat_84.jpg|thumb|Ready to eat]]Rinse and eat.

Tips

 * You can turn the cut half over and tap the skin hard all over with the back of a teaspoon. The arils will fall out onto the plate, and you won't get your fingers messy.
 * Use cold water when soaking the pomegranates in water.
 * The tough outside skin is nature's way of protecting the jewel-like arils inside. The harder the pomegranate is, the more structured and callous the arils will be.  Vice-versa, the arils will be untextured and dry if the outside skin is soft.
 * Be careful of staining when cutting into a pomegranate or cleaning out the fleshy inside. Pomegranate juice stains much like red wine and can be disastrous to a white shirt or other kitchen surfaces. Try wearing Darker clothes when straining or cutting a pomegranate.

Things You'll Need

 * Pomegranate
 * Knife
 * Cutting board
 * Cold water
 * Two bowls
 * Vinyl or Latex gloves

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Open a Pomegranate
 * How to Eat a Pomegranate
 * How to Eat a Kiwano (Horned Melon)
 * How to How to Eat Prickly Pear Cactus