Choose a Ripe Pomegranate Look for a pomegranate that is deep red and feels heavy for its size, indicating it's full of juice. Avoid ones with soft spots or cracks.
Score the Fruit Use a knife to score the pomegranate along its ridges from top to bottom. Make shallow cuts, about 1/2 inch deep, to break the skin but not cut through the seeds.
Open the Pomegranate Once scored, gently pull apart the fruit into sections. It should break open easily along the lines you scored.
Remove the Seeds (Arils) Hold a section of the pomegranate over a bowl, seeds facing down. Tap the back with a spoon or your fingers to loosen the arils, which will fall into the bowl.
Enjoy the Seed The juicy, red arils are the edible part of the pomegranate. You can eat them directly, sprinkle on salads, yogurt, or smoothies, or use them as a garnish.
Optional: Strain the Juice If you prefer just the juice, you can press the arils through a fine strainer or cheesecloth to extract the liquid.
Dispose of the Pith and Peel The white pith and outer peel are not edible. Discard them after separating the seeds.
Eating a pomegranate can be messy, but it’s totally worth the effort for its delicious, sweet-tart flavor and numerous health benefits!