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Pomegranate Juice: Unleash the Power of the Ruby Red Elixir

Pomegranate juice is a delicious and nutritious beverage that’s packed with antioxidants, minerals, and a unique flavor profile that’s both tart and sweet. While it may seem like a luxury item at the grocery store, making it at home is easier than you think. In this article, we’ll explore four simple ways to juice a pomegranate, from budget-friendly options to high-tech solutions.

The First Step: De-Seed Your Pomegranate

Before you can start juicing, you need to remove the arils (or seeds) from the fruit. This step is crucial for most juicing methods. Here’s how to do it:

• Cut the pomegranate in half, hamburger-style
• Gently remove as much of the white membrane as possible
• Hold one pomegranate half upside down over a large bowl and thwack it with a wooden spoon until the arils loosen and fall into the bowl
• Repeat with the other side

Four Ways to Juice Your Pomegranate

Now that you have your arils, it’s time to get juicing! Here are four methods to extract the goodness from your pomegranate:

The Easiest: Hand Juicing with a Manual Citrus Juicer

• What you’ll need: a lemon squeezer or manual juicer
• How much juice you’ll get: 50-75%
• Cost: varies

This method is quick and easy, but it may not extract the maximum amount of juice. Simply cut the pomegranate in half or quarters, place it in the citrus juicer, and squeeze or pull the handle to get the juice flowing.

The Fastest: Blender Method

• What you’ll need: a blender, plus straining mesh
• How much juice you’ll get: 70-80%
• Cost: varies

This method is fast and efficient, but it requires a blender and some elbow grease. Simply remove the arils from the pomegranate, blend them until liquefied, and strain the mixture to separate the juice from the pulp.

The Most Effective: Electric Slow Juicer

• What you’ll need: an electric slow juicer (sometimes called a masticating or cold press juicer)
• How much juice you’ll get: 90% or more
• Cost: $100-plus

This method is the gold standard for pomegranate juicing. Electric slow juicers extract the maximum amount of juice with minimal effort and mess.

The Low-Tech Option: Zip-Top Plastic Bag

• What you’ll need: a zip-top plastic bag, mesh strainer
• How much juice you’ll get: 50-75%
• Cost: a few bucks

This method is a last resort, but it’s better than nothing! Simply separate the arils from the fruit, place them in the bag, and squish away. Strain the mixture to separate the juice from the pulp.

Ways to Use Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate juice is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes, from sweet treats to savory dishes. Here are some of our favorite ways to use it:

• In a sticky-sweet balsamic glaze for chicken thighs
• In a summery, alcohol-free pomegranate-lime rickey
• In homemade grenadine
• To add a delicate pink color and sweet-tart flavor to homemade macaron filling
• Over roast duck as part of fesenjan sauce (a Persian sauce with pom juice, quince, and walnuts)
• In a pom-berry smoothie
• As a cozy nightcap, like this warm pomegranate spiced wine recipe
• In a breezy, nonalcoholic spritzer

Benefits of Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate juice is more than just a tasty drink – it’s also packed with nutrients and antioxidants. It’s notably high in potassium, magnesium, and copper, as well as anthocyanin antioxidants, which give the juice its deep red hue. Studies have shown that pomegranate juice has serious potential to reduce blood pressure and improve heart health in humans, and to reduce inflammation and improve inflammatory conditions like type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis in animals.

The Bottom Line

Pomegranate juice is a delicious and nutritious beverage that’s worth making at home. With these four simple methods, you can unlock the power of the ruby red elixir and enjoy its many benefits. So go ahead, give pomegranate juice a try, and taste the difference for yourself!