How To Eat A Pomegranate

Don’t miss out on a nutritional powerhouse just because you don’t know how to eat a pomegranate. While these red globes may look impenetrable, they’re actually very easy to crack open and are arguably one of the most nutritious fruits you can eat. There’s no denying that pomegranates are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and potassium and are packed with antioxidants. According to the “Journal of the National Cancer Institute,” some doctors believe that pomegranates also offer wide-ranging health benefits, from promoting cardiovascular health to preventing prostate cancer. What more evidence do you need? Learn how to eat a pomegranate, start reaping the delicious rewards!

To eat a pomegranate, you’ll need:

• A ripe pomegranate
• A sharp knife
• A bowl (optional)

1. Before you eat a pomegranate, go to the store and pick one out. If you’re planning to eat your pomegranate today, look for a ripe fruit that is bright or deep red. It will have a soft outer layer of skin that you can scratch easily, and if you tap the fruit, it should make a metallic sound. If plan to eat your pomegranate in a few days, a ripe fruit will store well for a few days and will actually improve in flavor and juiciness.
2. The easiest way to eat a pomegranate is out of your hand. Place the fruit on a hard surface, and cut off the crown, removing the white pith. Then, make three or four shallow cuts from the crown to the stem, scoring the fruit vertically. Break the pomegranate apart and bend the skin backward to reveal the seeds, or juice sacs.  You can eat the pomegranate seeds by pulling them out one-by-one with your fingers or by scooping them out with your hand and popping them into your mouth.
3. You can also eat a pomegranate by removing all of the seeds and reserving them in a bowl. Cut the fruit in half and then make four 1-inch long by 1-inch deep cuts into the fruit. Hold one half of the pomegranate over a bowl with the cut side down, and then smack the back of the fruit firmly with a spoon. The sacs will fall into the bowl. Repeat this process with the other half of the fruit, and keep the seeds in the refrigerator until you’re ready to enjoy them.

SOURCES:

Journal of the National Cancer Institute