How to open a pomegranate. Easy step by step guide complete with photo directions and other tips and tricks.

The grocery shopping days of pushing my little girls in the car kart with their own individual steering wheels, is over. It was just a blink but here they are, from little honks in the kart to asking for pomegranates.
The transition was a leap, as is this story, but now that they have control over their own two feet and are able to read what the labels say, we’re trying new things left and right.
But I can’t complain too much since what they’re asking for is in the fresh produce section. So we’ll carry on.
If you’re new to opening pomegranates, congratulations! You’re going to love this sweet and slightly tart fruit.
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The fruit went in my Locus Trolley Bags (the best grocery bags I’ve ever owned and easy to carry in the house!) and even before I was able to put away the groceries, the girls were asking if we could open the pomegranate because they were ready for a snack.
Since pomegranates are a very seasonal thing where we are living at the moment, this isn’t something we open on a regular basis. And because of that it can feel a bit intimidating.
It isn’t like an orange that you peel. The fruit doesn’t get sliced open like a cantaloupe with the bright orange color begging to be eaten. No, this fruit is a slightly odd shaped ball with 5-6 taller ridges.
HOW TO OPEN A POMEGRANATE
Things you’ll need
- pomegrante
- paring knife
- cutting board
- bowl of cool water

SCORE ALONG THE RIDGES
Fill a bowl with cool water. Set aside.
Start by finding the tall ridges along the round shaped fruit. You should be able to find about 5-6 taller lines. Score a shallow cut down each ridge.

Over the bowl of water, take your thumb and press against the cuts along the pomegranate. Pull apart.

Inside you’ll find the bright red fruit along with a white membrane (or pulp) surrounding the fruit.

Take your thumbs and gently roll over the red fruit allowing them to drop into the water.
Continue this with each of the scored ridges.

As you dislodge the fruit they will sink to the bottom of the bowl of water while the white pulp floats on top of the water.

Take a slotted spoon and remove the floating pulp.

After you remove the white pulp, discard the remaining water using a strainer.

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Helpful Tips & Tricks
POMEGRANATE JUICES WILL STAIN
It’s important to note that pomegranate juices will stain. Be sure to take caution around your countertops, wooden cutting boards, clothing etc.
DO YOU EAT THE POMEGRANATE SEEDS
What you’re actually eating are called arils. The juicy fruit part of the pomegranate that do contain a small seed that is also editable. The fruit inside the pomegranate is bright red or burgundy in color and has a sweet and tangy taste.
SHOULD YOU CUT OFF THE TOP BLOSSOM PART OF THE POMEGRANATE
Some do find it helpful to start by cutting off the top blossom part of the pomegranate that also looks like a crown. To do that score a circle around the blossom. Then you’ll peel the top off to expose the white pulp and seeds along the top. From there you should be able to see the white ridges to make your scoring down the fruit. Then continue to pull apart the pomegranate using your fingers.

WHAT SHOULD I EAT WITH THE POMEGRANATE
You can eat the fruit by itself with just a bowl and spoon or save it to top your favorite salads with apples, cheese, nuts and a vinaigrette dressing.
-Salads, oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, chicken dishes etc.
The non perishable groceries were put on hold and the girls won the, “can we open the pomegranate right now” question. But really, anytime you take a snack break with your kiddos and learn how to open a pomegranate the easy way, is a win for everybody.
How To Open A Pomegranate
Equipment
- cutting board
- bowl of cool water
Instructions
- Fill a bowl with cool water. Set aside.
- Start by finding the tall ridges along the round shaped fruit. You should be able to find about 5-6 taller lines. Score a shallow cut down each ridge.
- Over the bowl of water, take your thumb and press against the cuts along the pomegranate. Pull apart.
- Inside you'll find the bright red fruit along with a white membrane (or pulp) surrounding the fruit.
- Take your thumbs and gently roll over the red fruit allowing them to drop into the water. Continue this with each of the scored ridges.
- As you dislodge the fruit they will sink to the bottom of the bowl of water while the white pulp floats on top of the water.
- Take a slotted spoon and remove the floating pulp.
- After you remove the white pulp, discard the remaining water using a strainer.Enjoy!
Notes
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