First, check out the great information on the history and lore of pomegranates at Pomegranate – HandPicked Nation.

Then, newly inspired to get the fabulous health benefits of this fruit, try one (or both) of the following easy ways to enjoy them!

1.  Open the pomegranate and eat the arils – the mess-free way!

The key to opening a pomegranate without it looking like a crime scene afterwards is simply to do it underwater!   First, shallowly slice through the pomegranate skin, and cut away the are around the stem.  Then, dunk the whole pomegranate into a

bowl of water deeper than the pomegranate, and pull the fruit apart with your hands.  You’ll be able to easily roll the arils away from the white pith, leaving the arils on the bottom of the bowl, with the white bits floating.  Pour out the water and floating bits, and eat!

2.  Juice the pomegranate (you’ll never drink the stuff in the jar again)

Again, cut shallowly around the pomegranate, dividing it into about 4 sections (depending on size).  Pull the fruit apart with your hands (underwater if you want to stay clean).  Using a hand-held  juicer – one made for oranges or grapefruit – insert the sections of pomegranate and squeeze.  You may have to reposition each section and squeeze twice … and this could be messy, so wear an apron or cover yourself with a towel.  Warning: this fresh juice tastes nothing like what you can buy at the store … you might get addicted!

Want to use even more of the fruit?  Apparently, ancient Romans used pomegranate rinds as a form of leather … hmmmm ….