Ah, the pomegranate. That ruby-red jewel of a fruit, bursting with antioxidants and a flavor that’s the perfect mix of sweet and tart. You’ve got one sitting on your counter, you’ve got a trusty citrus juicer, and now you’re asking the million-dollar question: Can You Juice Pomegranates In A Citrus Juicer? It seems logical, right? It’s a fruit, you want the juice… but it’s not quite as simple as slicing an orange in half.
The short answer is yes, you technically can. But the long answer, the one that will save you from a Jackson Pollock-esque kitchen disaster and a glass of bitter disappointment, is a bit more nuanced. As the folks who live and breathe juicing here at Citrus JuicerR, we’ve tried it all. Let’s break down whether you should use your citrus juicer for pomegranates and how to do it if you’re feeling adventurous.
Understanding the Tools of the Trade: Citrus Juicer vs. The Rest
First, let’s get on the same page about what your citrus juicer is designed to do. Whether it’s a simple glass reamer or our latest electric model, a citrus juicer works by pressing and grinding the flesh of halved citrus fruits against a cone-shaped head (the reamer) to extract the juice. It’s brilliant for oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits because their structure is soft, and the juice is held in easily ruptured sacs.
Pomegranates are a different beast entirely. The juice isn’t in the flesh but inside hundreds of tiny, individual seeds called arils, which are encased in a bitter, white membrane (the pith). This fundamental difference is why using a citrus juicer for them is a bit of a hack, not a primary function.
- Centrifugal Juicers: These shred the fruit at high speed and spin the pulp to separate the juice. They’re fast but can introduce heat and oxidation.
- Masticating Juicers (Cold Press): These are the slow-and-steady champs. They use an auger to crush and “chew” the fruit, squeezing out every last drop of nutrient-rich juice with minimal heat. This is the ideal method for pomegranates.
So, when we ask can you juice pomegranates in a citrus juicer, we’re essentially asking if we can force a tool designed for one job to do a completely different one.
The Big Question: How Do You Juice Pomegranates in a Citrus Juicer?
If a citrus juicer is the only tool you have, don’t despair! You can still get some of that delicious juice. You just need to adjust your technique and your expectations. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get the best possible results.
- Cut the Pomegranate Correctly: Do not just slice it in half like an orange. If you do, the reamer will shred the bitter white pith right into your juice, making it unpalatable. Instead, score the pomegranate around its equator, being careful not to cut too deep into the seeds. Then, twist it apart into two halves.
- Loosen the Arils: This is the crucial step. Hold one half, cut-side down, over a large bowl. Firmly whack the back of the pomegranate with a wooden spoon. The arils should start falling out into the bowl. This method is surprisingly effective and, frankly, a great way to let out a little stress.
- Prepare for Juicing: Now, you have a choice.
- Method A (The Bag Method): Place the arils into a sturdy, sealable plastic bag. Squeeze out most of the air and seal it. Now, use your hands or a rolling pin to gently crush the arils inside the bag. Once they’ve released their juice, snip a tiny corner off the bag and strain the juice into a glass. This avoids the citrus juicer entirely but is a common manual method.
- Method B (The Citrus Juicer Hack): If you’re determined to use the machine, place a fine-mesh sieve over the juicer’s collection cup. Take a handful of arils and press them against the stationary reamer with your palm or a flat-bottomed cup. Don’t turn the machine on! You are using it as a manual press. The goal is to burst the arils without grinding the hard inner seed, which can also release bitter compounds.
- Strain, Strain, Strain: No matter which method you use, you’ll want to pour the resulting juice through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth one last time to catch any bits of membrane or seed fragments.
Pros and Cons of This Method
Let’s be honest about the trade-offs.
Pros:
- You get to use the equipment you already own.
- It’s a fun experiment for a true juice enthusiast.
- You will get fresh pomegranate juice.
Cons:
- Low Yield: You will get significantly less juice compared to a masticating juicer. A lot of liquid gets left behind.
- Messy: Pomegranate juice stains everything. This method is not for the faint of heart or those wearing white.
- Labor Intensive: Deseeding the pomegranate and carefully pressing the arils takes time and effort.
- Risk of Bitterness: It’s very easy to accidentally press too hard and incorporate bitterness from the pith or inner seeds.
An Expert’s Take
We chatted with Dr. Eleanor Vance, a food technologist and appliance expert, about this very topic. She said, “Using a citrus juicer for pomegranates is like using a screwdriver to hammer a nail. You might get the nail in, but it won’t be pretty, and you risk damaging the wall. For pomegranates, the delicate arils benefit from the gentle, high-pressure squeeze of a masticating juicer, which preserves both the flavor profile and the maximum amount of nutrients without introducing bitterness from the pith.”
What’s the Best Way to Juice a Pomegranate, Then?
If you’re serious about your juice, investing in the right tool makes all the difference. For pomegranates, nothing beats a masticating (cold press) juicer. It will gently press the arils, extracting a high yield of pure, vibrant, and nutrient-dense juice while separating out the hard seed bits and pulp.
If a new juicer isn’t on the cards right now, the blender-and-strain method is your next best bet:
- Place the arils in a blender.
- Pulse them briefly—just 3-4 short pulses. You only want to burst the juice sacs, not pulverize the hard inner seeds.
- Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a bowl, using a spoon to press the pulp and extract all the juice.
This method is faster, generally less messy, and yields more juice than attempting the citrus juicer hack.
Comparing Juicing Methods for Pomegranates
| Feature | Citrus Juicer Method | Masticating Juicer Method | Blender Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juice Yield | Low | Very High | Medium-High |
| Juice Quality | Okay (Risk of bitterness) | Excellent (Pure, smooth) | Good (Can be slightly cloudy) |
| Effort Level | High | Low | Medium |
| Mess Factor | High | Low | Medium |
| Best For | The desperate juicer with no other tools | The serious juice enthusiast | A good, quick alternative |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I put the whole pomegranate half on an electric citrus juicer?
A: We strongly advise against this. An electric citrus juicer’s reamer will spin and tear apart the white pith, which is incredibly bitter. This will ruin the taste of your juice and make a significant mess.
Q: How many pomegranates do I need for one cup of juice?
A: It depends on the size and juiciness of the fruit, but as a general rule, you’ll need 2 to 3 medium-to-large pomegranates to yield about one cup (8 ounces) of fresh juice.
Q: Does crushing the inner seed of the pomegranate aril make it bitter?
A: Yes. The tiny seed inside each aril has a woody, bitter taste when crushed. This is why a gentle press (like with a masticating juicer) or very brief pulsing in a blender is recommended over methods that would grind them up.
Q: What is the easiest way to get the seeds out of a pomegranate?
A: The “whack-it-with-a-spoon” method described above is a fan favorite. Another popular technique is the water method: cut the pomegranate into quarters, submerge them in a large bowl of water, and use your fingers to gently pry the arils away from the membrane. The arils will sink, and the white pith will float, making it easy to skim off.
Q: Is it worth the effort to juice pomegranates at home?
A: Absolutely! Fresh pomegranate juice is free from the added sugars and preservatives often found in store-bought versions. It’s packed with powerful antioxidants like punicalagins and has anti-inflammatory properties. The fresh, vibrant taste is simply unparalleled.
The Final Verdict
So, let’s circle back to our original question: can you juice pomegranates in a citrus juicer? Yes, you can, but it’s an off-label use that comes with more work for less reward. It’s a good-to-know trick if you’re in a pinch, but it’s not the path to your best glass of pomegranate juice.
For those who love the pure, rich flavor of this incredible fruit, we recommend exploring a method that’s better suited to its unique structure, like a masticating juicer or a simple blender and sieve. Your taste buds—and your kitchen counters—will thank you.