Sparkly, crisp, and vibrant, are the buzzwords that instantly come to mind when I behold a glass of freshly extracted deep-red pomegranate juice. One of the most refreshing drinks, this sweet and tart juice is superbly satisfying and is a treasure trove of health benefits.
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My grandmother always said, that the best way to get your daily dose of essential nutrients, is by consuming seasonal fruits and vegetables in abundance. We were blessed. My father owns a large farm on which he grows top-quality seasonal produce. He is particularly fond of growing pomegranates, and I have happy memories of running through acres of stunning pomegranate orchards blooming with gorgeous fruit.
My dad would bring home crates of freshly harvested plump pomegranates. He would then patiently de-seed them for us to enjoy. Needless to say, our winter days began with a glass of my mom's best homemade pomegranate juice. My mom carefully stored the unused arils and used them to garnish quite a few dishes she cooked throughout the day.
I love to garnish dishes like Whole Roasted Cauliflower, Curd Rice, and Aloo Chaat with pomegranate arils to make them look colorful and festive. Homemade pomegranate juice is also perfect for making refreshing drinks like this Pomegranate Rose Spritz.
Mom's Homemade Pomegranate Juice
Why would my mom's pomegranate juice recipe be the best, you may wonder? It is usually that one magic ingredient that sets a recipe apart from the others. In this case, it is the technique with which she juices the red arils and sprinkles just the right amount of salt, that defines and accentuates the refreshing flavor and color.
Pomegranate health benefits
- Reduces inflammation because it has very high levels of antioxidants
- Helps build immunity since it is rich in potassium, vitamin C, and E
- Is a great source of fiber
- Is low in calories
How To Peel Pomegranates
Step 1: Wash the fruit and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Cut off the top crown and scoop out a bit of the yellow portion right below the cut crown area. Make shallow slits on the bumpy portions of the fruit. With minimum pressure, pull apart each section. You will have the fruit apart in 5 to 6 sections (photos 1 - 4).
Step 2: Pull out the outer peel from each section. Gently push the seeds/arils out with your fingers (and not nails) working on one section at a time. You will notice that most of the peel and extra membrane come off easily and the arils start to fall out into the bowl with minimum effort photos (5 - 8).
Slitting the fruit in this manner separates the inner membrane from the arils and makes it easy to deseed the fruit
How to Store Pomegranate Seeds/Arils
The best way to store peeled pomegranate arils is to keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 8 days. I would recommend not washing the seeds, as water makes the arils turn soggy and brown.
Tips for the BEST Pomegranate Juice
- The best way to juice pomegranates is by pulsing the seeds in a blender just until the juice starts to separate from the seeds. Make sure that the inside seeds do not get crushed.
- Buy pomegranates at a wholesale store like Costco or Whole Foods
- October through December is the best time to buy pomegranates in the U.S
- There are lots of videos online showing how to peel pomegranates in a big bowl of water. While this method works, you will have to consume the seeds right away as the wet seeds start to get bad quickly.
How to Make Pomegranate Juice
- Add pomegranate seeds with water to the blender. Pulse for 5-10 seconds. Do NOT pulse for too long as the seeds may start to break down. Pulse until the Juice starts separating from the seed. Pour the juice through a strainer. Using the back of a spoon gently press the seeds down so all the juice is separated from the seeds photos (1 - 4).
- Add 1 cup of water or 1 cup of seltzer water to the strained juice. Add a pinch of salt and sugar. Mix well and enjoy (photos 5 - 6).
Storing
Pomegranate juice can be made ahead and refrigerated for 1 to 2 days.
With the upcoming holiday season, I’d really love for you to try this juice and add it to your Thanksgiving spread. The pop color will go well with the autumn theme and this will be a well-loved family drink along with these delicious party starters.
More Homemade Fresh Fruit Drinks You'll Love
Want more fun recipes? Enjoy this collection of homemade beverages that include my favorite drinks for every occasion!
Recipe
Homemade Pomegranate juice
Ingredients
- 2 cups pomegranate seeds
- 2 cups still water/seltzer water divided
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar optional
Instructions
- Add pomegranate seeds with 1 cup water to the blender. Pulse for 5-10 seconds or just until the juice starts separating from the seeds. Do NOT pulse for too long as the seeds may start to break down.
- Pour the juice through a strainer. Using the back of a spoon gently press the seeds down so all the juice is separated from the seeds.
- Add more water or seltzer water to the strained juice. Note: If you are going to add the pomegranate juice in cocktails or mocktails you may want to skip this step.
- Add a pinch of salt and sugar. Mix well. Serve chilled.
Video
Nutrition
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Anu says
Hello Archana,
You had suggested, . Pulse for 5-10 seconds or just until the juice starts separating from the seeds. Do NOT pulse for too long as the seeds may start to break down.
I'm curious to know whether the seeds if crushed can be consumed.
Thanks for sharing your memories and recipe on this page.
With gratitude and respect,
Archana says
Yes you can consume the seeds,