What is it about deseeding a pomegranate that feels like a puzzle game à la Bejeweled? (Gotta release all those little gems!)
Despite trying various techniques — the segmenting method, the spoon beating method, the Mr. Brain method — we’d inevitably end up with a low score. Read: Seeds crushed or left behind. Or worse, pomegranates flying across the room. Game over.
Fears and previous failures aside, we decided to master the art of extraction. Our mission: Test every known method for digging out pomegranate seeds so we could save you the trouble.
Without a doubt, this is the ultimate combo move for yielding a new high score — and plenty of juicy seeds, too.
With so many health benefits from the trusty pomegranate — like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-cancer effects — you’ll be glad you mastered this trick.
How to deseed a pomegranate
Step 1
Score the fruit around the middle. Cut deep enough to pierce the skin, but shallow enough that you don’t cut into the seeds inside.
Step 2
Pull apart the two halves. Put your thumbs into the cuts and yank the pomegranate open, if need be.
Step 3
Submerge the two halves in a bowl of water. Gently push the edges down and away to open the fruit. The water will soften the pith (the white tissue under the skin of the fruit).
Step 4
Turn the half upside down and thwack the bejeezus out of it with the back of a spoon. Seeds will tumble out into your hand and the bowl of water below.
Step 5
Inspect your handiwork. Look at the pomegranate half and release any stragglers with your hands or another whack of the spoon.
Step 6
Seeds will sink to the bottom. Scoop any floating pith out of the water with a slotted spoon or sieve.
Step 7
Drain the water. Now you have pomegranate seeds, ready to eat!
