How to Cut a Pommegranate

A pomegranate will feel heavy and full of juice when ripe, and the color will be a range of red and deep red. The skin on the pomegranate should feel tight and firm and look a bit like leather, but flaws on the skin doesn't usually indicate lack of quality on the inside.

Use a paring knife to cut a circle around the crown, or the round flower looking part of the pomegranate. Do not cut too deep, just enough to go through the skin.

Carefully peel up the layer of skin you just cut off the top of the pomegranate to reveal the seeds.

When you remove the top, you will see there is white pith that separates 5 or 6 sections of seeds. Use the knife to score through the skin where each section separates.

Carefully peel apart the sections.

Turn the pomegranate upsidedown and use a wooden spoon to hit the back of the fruit so that the seeds release from the pith. Remove the middle piece of pith as well.

Pick off any remaining seeds from the skin and remove any remaining pieces of pith from the bowl of seeds.