NECTAR OF THE GODS: EXTRACTING THE JUICE FROM POMEGRANATES
Pomegranates are like a secret to be unlocked. It’s well worth the effort, though, because the fresh juice is an entity unto itself. Get started by harvesting the precious seeds: You need to free them from the skin and pith. Cut a pomegranate in half through its equator. Holding 1 pomegranate half over a large mixing bowl, smack it hard on the skin side of the fruit. The exquisite seed gems will fall right out into the bowl.
There are a number of ways to juice the fruit—pick your favorite.
• Place the seeds in a resealable plastic bag and lightly smash them with a rolling pin. Don’t roll hard enough to pulverize the seeds. There are chemicals inside them that might make your juice taste bitter. Strain through cheesecloth to remove the seeds, and reserve the juice.
• Whiz the seeds in a blender, then strain through cheesecloth, if the thought of the bitterness isn’t a bother to you.
• Use a food mill, then discard the leftover pulp, reserving the juice. The same idea about the bitterness applies here.
• Ream the 2 halves of the fruit on a powerful citrus juicer, without removing the seeds first. It’s kind of like juicing citrus fruit.