Because of their high antioxidant levels, pomegranates frequently appear on "super foods" lists and they are touted to have benefits for a variety of ailments. I have read that they may slow the growth of prostate cancer, combat heart disease, reduce the risk of breast cancer, prevent lung cancer, provide relief from arthritis, cure diarrhea, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Wow. That is a lot from one fruit! I'm not sure of the depth of the studies that support those claims but, that aside, pomegranates are indeed high in fiber and vitamin C and they taste great in salads or smoothies or on their own.


How to open a pomegranate

Step 1: Score the pomegranate into four sections. Be sure to cut through the skin.


Step 2: Pull the pomegranate apart into four sections.



Step 3. Hold the sections, one at a time, upside down in hand over a large bowl. Hit the pomegranate section with the back of a wooden spoon (pretty firmly) to knock the arils (seeds or pips) out. A word of advice: this can be messy so be prepared with a dish towel and don't wear your favorite white sweater!



For a little extra help, Martha Stewart demonstrates this technique here.