How to Juice a Pomegranate

On this page (8 sections)

1. How do you prepare a pomegranate for juicing?
2. How do you juice a pomegranate by hand?
3. How do you juice pomegranate arils in a juicer?
4. How do you juice a pomegranate with a blender?
5. How should you strain and store fresh pomegranate juice?
6. Which tools help with pomegranate juice preparation?
7. Why can pomegranate juice taste bitter?
8. What is the simplest way to juice a pomegranate?

To juice a pomegranate, separate the arils from the peel and white pith, then press and strain the arils. Gentle pressure helps release juice while keeping bitter rind and pith out of the drink.

A pomegranate's edible portion is made up of the juicy arils, each surrounding a small seed. You can press those arils by hand, use a juicer that suits soft fruit, or crush them in a bag and strain the liquid.

How do you prepare a pomegranate for juicing?

Cut through the peel and remove the arils without crushing them. Keep a bowl nearby for the arils and discard the tough rind and white pith.

Rinse the fruit, then score the peel in sections without cutting deeply into the arils. Pull the fruit apart over a bowl, or submerge the sections in water and loosen the arils with your fingers.

The arils sink while much of the loose pith floats. Skim off the pith, drain the arils, and pick out any remaining white pieces before pressing.

Wear an apron or use a cutting board you can rinse promptly. Pomegranate juice can stain fabric and porous surfaces.

Do you remove the pomegranate seeds before juicing?

No, you can juice the arils with their small inner seeds inside. The goal is to extract the juice from each aril, then strain out seed fragments or pulp if you prefer a smoother drink.

Some methods break more of the inner seed material than others. Press gently and stop if the juice starts tasting harsh.

How do you juice a pomegranate by hand?

Put clean arils in a sturdy zip-top bag and press them gently with a rolling pin. This releases juice without putting the rind into the mixture.

Work in small batches so the arils sit in a fairly even layer. Press and roll over them with light, steady pressure instead of pounding or grinding them.

Snip a small corner of the bag and pour the juice through a fine strainer into a bowl. Press the remaining pulp lightly with a spoon, then stop when mostly dry seed fragments remain.

If you don't have a bag, crush the arils in a bowl with a muddler or the back of a spoon. Strain the mixture afterward and keep the tool away from any remaining pith.

For other manual methods, see How to Juice Without a Juicer: The Simple Facts. It covers ways to extract juice when you don't have a dedicated machine.

How do you juice pomegranate arils in a juicer?

Use only the separated arils, and follow your juicer's instructions for soft fruit. Feed them in small amounts and avoid forcing them through the chute.

A machine with a strainer can separate juice from some pulp, but you may still want to strain the result. Don't put a whole pomegranate into a juicer: the tough peel and pith can add bitterness.

Cold press machines are one option for processing fruit and other produce. Our guide to what you can juice in a cold press juicer explains how different ingredients fit that method.

Is a citrus juicer suitable for pomegranate?

A citrus juicer is designed for citrus halves, so it isn't the natural choice for loose pomegranate arils. A handheld press may be more useful for a small amount if you can contain the arils safely, but avoid loading loose arils into a cone or reamer.

For citrus, compare the types of citrus juicers to see how hand presses and electric reamers differ. If you're choosing a manual tool for lemons or limes, our best manual citrus juicer guide focuses on those fruits.

The Chef'n FreshForce is a hand press made for lemons, key limes, and similar small citrus. Its basket catches pulp and pits, but it isn't designed specifically for pomegranate arils.

Use it for halved citrus, not as a substitute for a pomegranate press. For pomegranate-specific options, see our guide to the best juicer for pomegranate.

How do you juice a pomegranate with a blender?

Blend only the arils briefly, then strain the mixture through a fine sieve. Keep the peel and pith out, and avoid blending long enough to grind the inner seeds into the juice.

Add a small amount of water only if the arils won't move in your blender. Pulse in short bursts and check the texture between pulses.

Pour the mixture through a fine strainer or nut milk bag into a bowl. Press the pulp gently, since hard squeezing can push more seed material through the mesh.

How should you strain and store fresh pomegranate juice?

Strain the juice into a clean container and refrigerate it promptly. Use a fine mesh strainer for a pulpy result or a nut milk bag for a smoother pour.

Taste a small amount before adding anything. If the flavor is bitter, check for pith and consider using less pressure next time.

A citrus juicer can help with other ingredients for a mixed juice. The Cuisinart Pulp Control Citrus Juicer is an electric reamer for citrus, with 3 pulp settings and a spout designed to direct juice into a glass.

Keep pomegranate arils and juice chilled in a covered container, and follow food safety guidance for fresh juice. Wash the strainer, bag, bowl, and any juicer parts after use.

Which tools help with pomegranate juice preparation?

Choose a tool based on the part of the job you want to simplify. A bag and rolling pin can press arils, while a fine strainer separates pulp; citrus tools are for citrus.

The Dreamfarm Fluicer is a manual press for lemons and limes, with a built-in pip catcher and a fold-flat design. It can help with citrus additions, but the arils still need a method suited to pressing small fruit.

For readers who want to limit plastic in kitchen tools, compare options in our best plastic free juicer guide. Check that any tool you choose is intended for the fruit and method you plan to use.

Why can pomegranate juice taste bitter?

Keep peel and pith out, and press the arils with light pressure. These steps help avoid a harsh taste from unwanted rind or crushed seed material.

Separate the fruit over a bowl and remove visible white pieces before juicing. Don't press the arils until every last drop is extracted if the remaining pulp is mostly dry.

If bitterness persists, clean the strainer and tools, then try a fresh batch with fewer arils at a time. A little pulp is easier to remove than a bitter flavor is to correct.

What is the simplest way to juice a pomegranate?

For a small batch, remove the arils, press them gently in a sturdy bag, and strain the juice. Use a juicer only if its instructions suit the arils, and keep the rind and pith out of every method.

Choose the bag method if you don't own a suitable machine. If you plan to add citrus, use a citrus juicer for that fruit and combine the juices after straining.

Frequently asked questions

Can you juice a pomegranate in a juicer?

Yes, you can juice pomegranate arils in a juicer that can handle small, soft pieces of fruit. Remove the arils from the rind and pith first, then follow your juicer's instructions and strain the juice if needed.

Don't feed the whole fruit into a juicer.

Do you need to remove pomegranate seeds before juicing?

The juicy arils are the part to press. Their small inner seeds are inside each aril, so you don't need to remove them first; however, avoid pressing the peel or white pith.

Strain the finished juice if you want to remove seed fragments or pulp.

How do you juice a pomegranate without a juicer?

Remove the arils, place them in a sturdy zip-top bag, and press them gently with a rolling pin. Pour the crushed arils through a fine strainer into a bowl, pressing lightly to release juice.

A blender and fine strainer are another option; avoid blending the rind.

Why does homemade pomegranate juice taste bitter?

Bitterness can come from white pith or peel getting into the juice, or from pressing the arils too forcefully and breaking up more seed material. Separate the arils carefully, remove visible pith, and press in small batches with gentle pressure for a cleaner flavor.