how to peel a pomegranate efficiently?

Question

Two well known facts about pomegranates:

1. they are yummy
2. they are a pain to peel by hand

do you know of any efficient ways to peel pomegranates? by efficient i mean two things:

1. quick
2. minimum number of 'hurt' arils

be blessed

Answer 1

Why peel it? I cut or break the pomegranate in quarters, then just sort of bend a quarter backwards towards the peel side to start breaking out the arils, and then pick loosen them with my fingers. Works fine. Tedious but about as efficient as it gets. Some people like to do this under water in a bowl, but I haven't found it to give any great advantage.

Answer 2

Even easier than Michael's way:

Quarter the pomegranate. Hold it over a bowl of water, seeds down, and spank it repeatedly with the flat of a large knife. Done. (The water makes separation of pith and seeds easier; the latter sink and the former floats).

Answer 3

I wanted to plug my absolute favorite chef; Jamie Oliver. :) He has a video on how to prepare a pomegranite. http://jamieshomecookingskills.com/skills-specific.php?skill=preparing%20fruit. I would have given you the direct link but it pops up in a modal window.

Answer 4

Two steps:

1. Roll the pomegranate while pressing on it with your wrist. Rolling + pressing releases the arils.
2. Cut pomegranate in half, hold each half over a bowl, seeds down, and spank with a spoon or a cup.

I saw it here. It's in Hebrew, but you can look at the pictures and the video. Try it, it works!