Peeling pomegranates involves cutting off the thick skin and pushing the arils away from the membrane. Soaking the fruit in cold water can prevent staining, and cutting the fruit in half or quarters can make it easier to peel.
Peeling from pomegranates is different from peeling the skin from apples, oranges, and other types of fruit. There are three main parts that make up the structure of a pomegranate. They are the thick skin-like skin, white membrane and sponge-like tissue, and edible red sacs of pulp and seed called arils in the center of the fruit. To peel pomegranates, the thick skin must be cut off with a sharp knife and the fruit opened. Instead of peeling the skin off the arils, the pomegranate is “peeled” by pushing the arils away from the skin and membrane.
The juice that comes from the arils of the fruit tends to stain. This can be a problem for people trying to peel pomegranates without making a mess. Soaking the pomegranate in cold water can help prevent the juice from accidentally staining your skin, clothing, or other areas of your kitchen. When peeling fruit, a medium to large bowl filled with cold water can be used to collect the seeds and juice. Wearing an apron is another way to reduce the likelihood of stains on clothing.
There are two main ways to cut and peel pomegranates. The first option is to completely cut the fruit in half. Another option is to cut off the crown-shaped top of the pomegranate and then cut off just the outer skin. This involves cutting the pomegranate deep enough to score the skin. You shouldn’t cut so deeply that the knife reaches the arils inside, but you should score the peel of the pomegranate into four quarters.
If you’re working with halves, place one in the bowl of cold water. Submerge the inside of the fruit completely, then peel the skin back by pushing the seeds into the bowl of water and discarding the skin. Put the second half of the pomegranate in the cold water and repeat.
To peel pomegranates that have been quartered, place the whole fruit in the bowl. Let the fruit soak in the water for at least five minutes to make it easier to remove the arils. Keep the fruit submerged and crack the skin at the cuts, one section at a time. Most of the arils will separate from the skin and membrane when the fruit is cracked. Dig the seeds with your thumb if necessary or push against the husk to drop them into the water.
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