Homemade Fresh Pomegranate Juice is so much tastier and more economical than the packaged one that you will never buy it again once you make it at home. Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to peel pomegranates easily and how to make pomegranate juice (vegan, gluten-free).
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About Pomegranates
Pomegranate was originally cultivated in the region that extends from modern-day Iran to northern India. It is widely cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region of Southern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. The fruit is eaten fresh or used in cooking, juice, and other food preparations.
It is also sacred in some cultures and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It is considered a symbol of fertility, prosperity, and good luck.
Pomegranate is a round or oblong fruit with a hard outer shell covered with leathery outer skin. The color of the skin can range from brownish-yellow to bright red.
Inside the pomegranates are hundreds of edible seeds, also known as arils. The seeds are surrounded by juicy flesh that can range in color from pink to red.
Pomegranate is a fruit that has a unique taste that is both tart and sweet. The flavor is often compared to a mix of cranberry and lemon. The taste of pomegranate can vary depending on the variety, but all varieties are tart, tangy, and sweet in taste.
About Pomegranate Juice
We as a family love to drink seasonal fruit juices and vegetable juices on a regular basis as they are very nutritious. I keep juicing different fresh fruits at home including pomegranates.
In today’s post, I am sharing how to peel pomegranates easily and how to make fresh pomegranate juice at home using pomegranate seeds. This ruby red juice is super easy to make at home with just one ingredient, pomegranates.
Sweet and tart in taste and vibrant deep red in color, homemade anar juice is so much better, lighter, and tastier than the store-bought one. I can assure you that if you make it at home once, you will never buy a carton again.
Not only is homemade juice very delicious, but it is also free of preservatives, added sugar, artificial colors, and flavors. It is much more economical to make at home too.
You can make this homemade pomegranate juice recipe using a blender, food processor, citrus press, or an electric juicer.
Note – You can add lime juice, lemon juice, or salt to the juice to enhance its taste.
Here are some more fresh homemade juice recipes that you may want to try
- Watermelon Juice
- Amla Juice
- Pumpkin Juice
- Pineapple Juice
- Watermelon Ginger Juice
- Passion Fruit Juice
- Green Apple Juice
Health Benefits Of Pomegranate Juice
This juice has many health benefits. It is very rich in Iron and is very beneficial for anemic people.
It is also rich in Vit C, which is an integral part of iron metabolism. Pomegranate also has some powerful antioxidants and impressive anti-inflammatory properties.
It is said to be very effective when it comes to certain types of cancer such as prostate cancer and breast cancer.
Pomegranate juice also helps lower blood pressure levels and controls cardiovascular disease. It is also known to lower cholesterol.
Also, If you have rheumatoid arthritis or joint pains, anar ka juice can do wonders for you.
Pomegranate also lowers the risk of heart disease and is good for inflammatory bowel disease.
Side Effects Of Pomegranate Juice
Anar juice is usually safe to consume. However, some people may experience side effects, such as stomach upset, diarrhea, or headaches.
If you experience any of these side effects after drinking it, then it’s best to stop consuming the juice and speak with your doctor.
Also, keep in mind that anar juice can interact with certain medications, so it’s important to talk to your doctor before drinking it if you take any medications.
How To Choose Pomegranates
When you buy fresh pomegranates, make sure that they are hard and don’t have any soft patches. I used large pomegranates to make this juice recipe but you can buy smaller ones too.
The fruit should feel heavy for its size.
I have heard many people saying that the best pomegranate fruits are the ones with shiny bright skin but in my personal experience has not been the same. When I buy pomegranates, I look out for slightly cracked skin and a few brown patches all over.
If possible, source them from a farmer’s market rather than a grocery store.
In India, we get ripe pomegranate fruit with light pink-colored kernels and dark ruby red kernels. Always try to choose the ruby red ones as they are sweeter and juicier.
These days, pomegranates are available all year round, but their best season is between October and December. So make the most of this time and make this pom juice regularly to get the maximum benefit of this fruit.
How To Peel Pomegranates
There are multiple ways by which you can peel pomegranates and take out the kernels but the method that I am sharing today is life-changing.
It’s super quick, no mess and you get all the kernels out from the pomegranates very effectively.
Tip – Always wear old clothes or an apron while handling the pomegranates. Its stains don’t go very easily from the cloth. Also, try to use an old chopping board and steel or a glass bowl to collect the seeds. The stains won’t go away from plastic bowls.
Wash the pomegranates and wipe them using a kitchen cloth.
Now cut the pomegranate in half, horizontally using a sharp knife.
Keep a large bowl on the kitchen counter and hold one-half of the pomegranate over the bowl with the cut side down.
Now start to hit the pomegranate using something heavy. I used my rolling pin but you can also use a meat tenderizer. Keep rotating the pomegranate as you go.
The arils will start to fall in the bowl. Keep hitting until all the seeds are collected in the bowl. If a few seeds are still left, then take them out using your fingers.
Discard any white membrane that has fallen into the bowl. The membrane (pith) gives a bitter taste to the juice, so make sure to discard it.
Deseed all the pomegranates in the same manner. Easy peasy, right?
You can deseed the arils and store them in a container and refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks. Use them to make fresh juice every day.
How To Make Pomegranate Juice
In A Blender Or Food Processor
Transfer the pomegranate arils to the large jar of a high-speed blender or a food processor.
Tip – Make sure there is no membrane attached to the seeds, otherwise the juice will become bitter in taste.
Pulse for 3-4 seconds until the arils are crushed but the hard seeds are intact.
Sieve the juice through a fine mesh strainer. Keep pressing with a silicone spatula or the back of a spoon to get the maximum juice and discard the leftover pulp.
Pour the fresh homemade juice into serving glasses. Add a few ice cubes (optional) and serve chilled.
Tip – This juice tastes best when made fresh but if you have leftovers, then store them in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Stir well before serving.
Using A Citrus Press
This is probably the easiest way to make anar juice as there is no need to de-seed them. Just wash the pomegranates and cut them in half horizontally.
Now keep one-half over the citrus press and press to release all the juice.
You will be left with the skin of the pomegranates with the seeds. Discard it and enjoy the juice!
In A Slow Juicer
Add the pomegranate seeds to a juicer and process the juice. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can give it to babies, but only after they turn 6 months old. Also, give them freshly made juice with no added sweetener or artificial sweetener.
If the pomegranates have been lying on the counter for too long, their skin loses moisture and looks dried and shriveled. In that case, just soak the entire fruit in cold water for 25-30 minutes, then peel and deseed.
Pro Tips By Neha
Make sure to not wash the seeds. If they come in contact with water, they get spoiled very soon.
You can mix the pure pomegranate juice with apple juice, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, grape juice, cranberry juice, orange juice, etc to make a new variation.
You can also add veggies like beetroot, tomato, etc to make it even more nutritious.
Sometimes anar juice is very heavy to drink. In that case, mix it with some water, club soda, or seltzer.
You can add some lime juice, pink salt, or black salt to it for a delicious taste.
I like to add some juice to green tea and make myself a nice mocktail.
I like to use this delicious juice as a base for my salad dressing. It gives a lovely sweet-tart flavor to it.
Usage Ideas
Apart from drinking this healthy drink as it is, you can also use it to make Pomegranate Molasses, a popular Middle Eastern ingredient that is used to make many recipes like Baba Ganoush or Pomegranate Chicken.
You can also use it to make smoothies, spritzers, cocktails, popsicles, granitas, salad dressings, etc.
I love to add some of it to my Shikanji Recipe to give it a lovely twist.
And do not forget to try my refreshing Pomegranate Raita which is also made using fresh pomegranate juice.
Storage Suggestions
Homemade pomegranate juice can be stored in an airtight container or glass bottle for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that the quality of the juice starts to deteriorate as it starts to oxidize.
To increase the shelf life, you can freeze the juice. It will last in the freezer for up to a year. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator and use.
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Recipe Card
Fresh Pomegranate Juice Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 large pomegranates
Instructions
Peel The Pomegranates
- Wash the pomegranates and wipe them using a kitchen cloth.
- Now cut the pomegranate in half using a sharp knife.
- Keep a large bowl on the kitchen counter and hold one-half of the pomegranate over the bowl with the cut side down.
- Now start to hit the pomegranate using something heavy. I used my rolling pin but you can also use a meat tenderizer. Keep rotating the pomegranate as you go.
- The arils will start to fall in the bowl. Keep hitting until all the seeds are collected in the bowl. If a few seeds are still left, then take them out using fingers.
- Discard any white pith that has fallen into the bowl.
- Deseed all the pomegranates in the same manner. Easy peasy, right?
- You can deseed the arils and store them in a container and refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks. Use them to make fresh juice every day.
Make The Juice In A Blender or Food Processor
- Transfer the pomegranate arils to the large jar of a high-speed blender.
- Make sure there is no membrane attached to the seeds, otherwise the juice will become bitter in taste.
- Pulse for 3-4 seconds until the arils are crushed but the hard seeds are intact.
- Sieve the juice through a fine-mesh strainer. Keep pressing with a silicone spatula to get the maximum juice and discard the leftover pulp.
- Pour the juice into serving glasses. Add a few ice cubes (optional) and serve chilled.
- This juice tastes best when made fresh but if you have leftovers, then store them in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Stir well before serving.
Make The Juice Using A Citrus Press
- This is probably the easiest way to make pomegranate juice as there is no need to de-seed them. Just wash the pomegranates and cut them in half horizontally.
- Now keep one half over the citrus press and press to release all the juice.
- You will be left with the skin of the pomegranates with the seeds. Discard it and enjoy the juice!
Make The Juice In A Juicer
- Add the pomegranate seeds to a juicer and process the juice. Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!