How to Deseed a Pomegranate

With this technique, you can release all of those tart, jewel-like treasures in just a few minutes.

By Experience Life Staff | Experience LifeDecember 3, 2015

Quick Tips:

Before you begin, put on an apron — pomegranate juice can stain!
To clean up, use vinegar or lemon juice to get rid of any pink stains on your cutting board or counter.

A knife cutting a pomegranate
Step 1: With a sharp knife, score the skin of the pomegranate around its circumference, taking care not to cut too deeply — about a quarter of an inch should be deep enough.

A halved pomegranate

Step 2: Pry the pomegranate apart, using your thumbs to separate the halves from each other. This will reveal the juice-encased seeds embedded in the inner membrane of the pomegranate.

Hands holding half a pomegranate

Step 3: With both hands, squeeze and pull at the edges of each pomegranate half to begin to break the membrane and loosen the seeds.

Tapping a pomegranate over a bowl to seed it
Step 4: Place one pomegranate half seed-side down in the palm of one hand, holding your hand over a bowl.

Deseeding a pomegranate over a bowl

Step 5: With a wooden spatula held in your other hand, firmly tap around the entire outside of the pomegranate half. The seeds will release through your fingers into the bowl below. Repeat steps 4 through 6 with the other pomegranate half.

A picture of the Pomegranate Power article in Experience Life