We finally got to enjoy our first homegrown pomegranates! We only had two, but there are three more that will be ready in a few weeks. Hopefully, as the tree matures, we will get to enjoy many more.
It was planted two years ago in this large container, but Ben has plans to transfer it into the ground in the next few months. The variety we have is a Parfianka and its seeds are supposedly a bit softer than the traditional supermarket variety, Wonderful.
At Ben’s most recent California Rare Fruit Growers Association meeting, they discussed pomegranates. He’s been taking the girls with him to his last couple meetings because they like sitting and listening to the talks (they bring their own things to work on because they eventually zone out). They had these pomegranate de-seeders available for purchase, but they sold out, so Ben ordered it from Amazon (this is the one).
We aren’t typically kitchen gadget people, but this works pretty well. You halve it, score it five times on each rim, put a half pomegranate on top of the gadget at a time, pound with a spoon, and all the seeds come out. For these beginners, it took closer to 120 seconds, as opposed to the 60 seconds advertised, but it is still the fastest we have ever been able to take apart a pomegranate. We love pomegranates, but the only draw back is how tedious they can be to get their fruit. What are your tips in de-seeding a pomegranate?
Lucky you, to have this tree! I recently discovered a neighbor’s pomegranate tree loaded with red ripe fruit as I change the route of my daily walks. What a beautiful tree it was! I have wished for one ever since.
I agree, it’s a really pretty tree!
I’ve heard you can place the cut piece of pomegranate in a bowl of water, and use your fingers to release the seeds. I’ve done it a couple times, still time consuming. That gadget looks interesting, and if it makes it easier I would eat more pomegranates.
Yeah, we’ve done that method, but it still takes so long. The gadget and pounding it is a lot faster. Someone commented above, with a video, that the pounding can be done without a gadget.
I’m so jealous, I love pomegranates but they don’t grow well her eat all.
so cool!!!
xx nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
Best and quickest way I’ve found is courtesy of jamie Oliver. Here’s a video of the method, though of course when he does it looks a whole lot cooler! I like to use a heavy metal spoon instead of a wooden spoon. Same basic idea as your gadget, but no scoring and…no gadget. Also it’s a very clean method–hardly any bits of membrane sneak through.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8lH47Oorrdk
Wow! That does make it look really easy! We will try that next time.
Wow, I’m officially jealous. We love pomegranates, but there’s no way we could get one to grow in the rainy UK. My trick for preparing them is to get my ever-patient husband to do it – I usually end up covered in juice if I attempt it! As ever, the best way to get things done is to ask a perfectionist ;D I dread to think what would happen if I attempted the Jamie version above. I’d miss the pomegranate, hit my thumb, drop the pomegranate and cover the kitchen with juice and seeds. It would look like a murder scene from CSI! Your gadget looks pretty nifty though. I wonder if we can get them over here…
I love your trick! That’s mine too! 😉
This way is very simple: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9iYsNYmn9k
How lucky!!! How do you eat them? I like it in a yogurt but can’t get the rest of the family exited about it:(
We just eat them straight like that. After we pound them out of course. We love the sweet and sourness of it!
cut in half, and hit with a wooden spoon. works pretty good, juice tends to fly all over. doesn’t matter, love pomegranates!
This is my first time looking at a pomegranate tree! never knew it can grow in a pot. I wonder if it can grow in Malaysia. I would love to try and plant one myself.
It likes full sun, so I’m guessing it can grow there too!