How to Eat a pomegranate

If you try to eat a pomegranate fresh off the shelf, it's probably going to be a messy and difficult situation. This video shows you how to extract the seeds from the pomegranate, giving you options on how to eat them.

High in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, a pomegranate gives you a tasty – and healthy – treat. Enjoy the seeds or juice to benefit from the pomegranate's heart-healthy antioxidants.

Step 1: Cut off the crown

Use a sharp knife to cut the crown off the top of the pomegranate.

TIP: Buy heavy pomegranates with red skin that is thin yet tough and unbroken. The heavier the pomegranate, the juicier it will be.

Step 2: Score the skin into quarters

Lightly score the skin of the pomegranate into quarters. Cut from the crown end to the stem end, being careful to cut through the skin, but not too deeply.

Step 3: Break the sections apart

Place the pomegranate, crown side down, in a bowl of cool water for several minutes, and then break it apart. The seeds, or arils, will sink to the bottom of the bowl.

TIP: Refrigerate the seeds for up to three days, or freeze them on a tray in a single layer and keep them in an air-tight container for up to six months.

Step 4: Eat the seeds or add them to another dish

Eat the seeds as they are, or add them to a salad, dessert, or any other dish for a sweet, tart treat.

Step 5: Blend and strain

Blend the seeds until they are liquefied, and then strain the liquid through a sieve for fresh pomegranate juice.

Did you know? Ancient myths claimed pomegranates to be a favorite food of the gods.