How To Eat A Pomegranate
When you taste the sweet, rich juice of the pomegranate, you will know why this fruit has a history that is rich in folklore and why the pomegranate is considered to be one of the oldest fruits known to humans. The pomegranate is packed full of seeds, and getting past them will leave you with a flavorful and rich juice that is great to use in sauces, savory dishes, and drinks. The seeds are a delight to bite, or they make a beautiful garnish when you are entertaining to impress.
A pomegranate is the same size as an orange, and its color can range anywhere from a yellow orange to a reddish purple. If you don't deseed a pomegranate in the proper way, eating this delicious fruit can be a very messy affair. Read on to find out how you can enjoy this fruit - which bursts with flavor - without staining your clothes or the countertops.
What You Will Need
- Pomegranates
- Water
- A knife
- Slotted spoon
- Cutting board
- Bowl
- Colander
- Paper towels
Step 1: Cut Off The Top
The first step is to cut the crown from the top of the pomegranate and throw it away. You can recognize the crown easily by the characteristic shape of the top. Place the pomegranate on the cutting board and slice off the top. Using a sharp knife, score the rind in a few places, ensuring you don't cut through the pomegranate.
Step 2: Soak And Separate
Take your bowl and fill it with cold water. Place the pomegranate in the bowl upside down, and let it soak for about 5 to 10 minutes. When you have finished soaking the pomegranate, do not remove it from the bowl. Gently break apart the rind, and separate the seeds from the rind. They will sink in the water to the bottom of the bowl.
Step 3: Getting At The Seeds
Take your slotted spoon and remove the membranes and the rind, discarding them. Using the colander, pour the water and seeds inside to drain. Pat the seeds dry with the paper towels. You can refrigerate the seeds for just 2 days to maximize the flavor.
Choosing And Storing Pomegranates
Knowing how to choose the ripest, freshest pomegranates can really add to your enjoyment of this exotic fruit. When shopping for pomegranates, you should look for round and plump fruits. Pomegranates are heavy for their size. Choose a pomegranate that has a rich hue and is free of bruises and blemishes. The larger the pomegranate, the more juice you will get.
Pomegranates differ from other fruits in that once they have been picked, they don't continue to produce sugar; so they don't ripen further. You can store a pomegranate for up to a month in a dry, cool area, or you can leave it in the refrigerator for as long as 2 months. A frozen pomegranate stored in an airtight pouch will last as long as a year. If you juice your pomegranate, be sure you not only keep it refrigerated, but to consume it within 3 days.
