As winter draws to a close, the anticipation of spring grows stronger. This vibrant season brings forth a profusion of fruits and flowers worldwide, adorning trees with colourful blossoms and elevating the atmosphere to new heights. Amidst gentle breezes, people eagerly seek out refreshing fruit juices unique to springtime.
Read More: 5 Health Benefits Of Pomegranate Seeds
One of the fruits available this season is pomegranate. People love the red pearl-like seeds that are popularly known as superfoods. The vibrant ruby-red arils are packed with sweet-tart juice and crunchy seeds. According to the National Institutes of Health, the edible part of the fruit is at least 50% of the fruit, while the rest is non-edible peel. The arils, apart from water, contain sugars, pectin, organic acids, phenolics, and flavonoids. Seeds contain proteins, crude fibres, vitamins, minerals, pectin, sugars, polyphenols, isoflavones, and oil.
Although people love munching on a bowl full of pomegranates, they also love the fresh juice made out of them. In a recent video by the chef Kunal Kapur, freshly made pomegranate juice is shown. However, the trick lies in cutting the pomegranate. First, cut the crown of the pomegranate and then, following the natural lines in the fruit, cut it accordingly and separate the arils from it. This is one of the steps with which one can achieve perfect pomegranate juice.
Here's the video:
However, most people make mistakes while making pomegranate juice and it is necessary to avoid these mistakes. Take a look at some of them:
- Select A Very Ripe Fruit
It is important to select ripe pomegranate to achieve perfect juice. While selecting the fruit, avoid those that are lightweight for their size because they may not have fully developed arils or contain as much juice. Additionally, those that have blemishes, bruises, or soft spots indicate overripeness or spoilage. Such fruits should also be avoided.
- Use Appropriate Techniques To Extract Seeds
Cutting pomegranate incorrectly can lead to juice loss and a messy process. Improper cutting may release bitter compounds from the white pith, affecting the flavour of the juice. The right way to cut pomegranate is by following the lines within the fruit and cutting it accordingly. If cut incorrectly, it can be a challenge to remove the seed cleanly, resulting in a less efficient juicing process.
- Remove The Bitter White Membranes
The bitter white membranes can lead to an unpleasant taste in the pomegranate juice. The white membranes can be removed by soaking the arils in cold water. This helps the white membrane to float on the surface, which can be easily removed using the fingers. Removing the white membrane gives a clean, sweet-tart flavour profile to the pomegranate juice.
- Avoid Over-Processing The Seeds
For perfect pomegranate juice, it is crucial to avoid over-processing the seeds. Over-processing can lead to the release of bitter compounds from the white pith surrounding the seeds. Gently pulse the seeds in a blender or food processor, just enough to release the juice while keeping the bitter components intact. Strain the juice through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any remaining pulp or seeds, ensuring a smooth and flavourful result.
- Do Not Add Sugar Unnecessarily
Pomegranate juice is naturally sweet and tart, deriving the flavours from the arils within the fruit. The arils contain natural sugar, which provides sweetness without the need for additional sweeteners. Adjust the tartness by adding a minimal amount of sweetener when necessary.