The pomegranate is one of the oldest fruits and has deep roots in both biblical and Judaic history. In fact, many scholars debate whether the apple in the Garden of Eden was in fact a pomegranate.  They are a fascinating fruit since every pomegranate is composed of exactly 840 seeds. Each seed is surrounded by a sac of sweet-tart juice contained by a thin skin. The seeds (arils) are compacted in a layer resembling a honeycomb around the core.

The challenge is to de-seed them. Here is the trick.  First, you cut off the ends of the crown and discard them.  Second, you score the outside red membrane in quarters.  You want to make sure you do not penetrate the core when you are scoring because you will break open the seeds and lose the juice which can be very messy.  Third, you submerge the pomegranate in water and start to break loose the honeycomb membrane with your fingers.  The seeds will naturally fall to the bottom of the bowl.  They seeds are a great accent for a green or berry salad and they are full of antioxidants so eat up! 

Thank you, Karen, for the introduction to this exotic fruit.  Pomegranates originated in tropical Asia and they are grown throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East. In the United States, commercial producers grow pomegranates in the San Joaquin Valley of California and their peak season is November and December.