1. Pomegranates are a lot of work, but they are worth it! The ripest most perfect pomegranates are available in grocery stores now. The POM Wonderful brand pomegranates are the biggest and have the best flavor. Look for the roundest, deepest red pomegranates you can find.

2. Rinse your pomegranate in water and cut an X in the top about halfway down the fruit. (If you are an impatient pomegranate eater (like me) and don’t mind making a mess—stop here! You can stick your thumbs in the center of the X and pull the peel apart, revealing the delicious seed jewels. Stick your face in there and chow down! Expect to splatter magenta juice all over your face and surrounding furniture. To make less mess continue on to step 3 after cutting the fruit.)

3. Set your pomegranate in a big bowl of water, place your thumbs in the center of the X, and pry the peel apart.

4. While the pomegranate is submerged use your fingertips to carefully brush the seeds away from the membrane. The seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl and the empty membrane will float. The water keeps the seeds from flying across the kitchen as you remove them, and it keeps any bursting seeds from squirting in your face! When breaking the peel into smaller pieces to reach all the seeds, hold the fruit seed side down in the water to keep the mess to a minimum.

5. Once the seeds have been removed use a strainer to scoop the remaining membrane from the surface of the water. Then, strain the water from the seeds.

6. Enjoy!