How to peel a pomegranate

Loaded with nutrients, Pomegranates can even protect you from cancer and heart attacks. But if you struggle while peeling, Active! offers a step-by-step guide on how to do it

Loaded with nutrients, Pomegranates can even protect you from cancer and heart attacks. But if you struggle while peeling, Active! offers a step-by-step guide on how to do it

Benefits of pomegranates
If you are health conscious, pomegranates are the complete fruit for you as they are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It contains nutrients such as Polyphenols, which are antioxidants protecting you from free radicals, and thus the risk of cancer and heart ailments. They also contain Vitamin C which can keep you safe from infections and colds and they are also loaded with Vitamin K which aids the blood clotting mechanism of the body. Apart from this, they are useful for people suffering from arthritis due to their anti-inflammatory properties. As they protect you from hardening of arteries they are also useful in safe-guarding from stroke and heart attacks.


Illustrations/ Satish Acharya

Step 1: Make a thin cut on top of the fruit
Using a sharp paring knife, make a thin incision all around the top of the pomegranate. Try not to cut the seeds inside. Lightly lift off the top to reveal the fruit inside.

Step 2: Cut around the bottom of the fruit
Next, flip the pomegranate, and then cut around the bottom of the fruit. As the bottom of the fruit is much tougher, you can be less gentle than when cutting the top of the fruit. After the incision is made, peel it off.

Step 3: Cut on the lines of the fruit
The top and bottom of the fruit cut open, you will be able to see white lines, segregating the various portions of the fruit. Make incisions along these lines to reveal the segments.

Step 4: Peel off the segments
Once you have made the incisions, you can slowly peel off the various segments of the fruit. At this stage you can choose to serve the segments as they are; you can just bite off the seeds from the top.

Step 5: Gently take the seeds out and place them in a clear bowl
The other option is to gently prod the seeds out of the white skin with your fingers to reveal beautiful red beads packed with essential nutrients and phytochemicals.