Have you ever wanted to make your own pomegranate powder at home?
This tangy and tart superfood powder has many culinary and health benefits.
Step by Step Recipe
Pomegranate Powder Recipe
Ingredients
- Pomegranate Peels
Instructions
Gather Your Pomegranate Peels
- The first step is collecting enough pomegranate peels to make a usable amount of powder.
- Whenever you eat a fresh pomegranate, be sure to save the peels, pith, and membrane that surround the juicy red seeds. Rinse off any sticky juices or residue. Then lay the peels out on a baking sheet and allow them to dry completely. This may take a few days. Check that the peels are fully dried and crispy, with no moisture left inside.
- If you don't eat pomegranates often enough to collect sufficient peels, you can ask friends to save theirs for you too. Some grocery stores may even give away excess peels if you ask nicely.
Dehydrate the Peels
- For best flavor and storage life, it helps to fully dehydrate the pomegranate peels before blending into powder.
- You have a couple options for dehydrating:
- Oven: Spread peels on a baking sheet and bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours, until completely dried out.
- Sun: Leave peels in direct sunlight for 1-2 days, bringing inside at night.
- Flipping and rotating the peels occasionally will help them dry evenly. The peels are ready when brittle and crunchy to the touch.
Blend into a Fine Powder
- Once the pomegranate peels are fully dried and dehydrated, you're ready to blend them into a powder.
- A high-speed blender like a Vitamix works great to finely grind the peels.
- A coffee grinder also does the trick, although you may need to work in smaller batches.
- A food processor can grind peels into a grittier powder or flakes.
- Process the peels until you achieve a fine, fluffy powder. Break down any remaining large pieces or flakes that weren't fully powdered.
- Aim for a consistently fine texture, similar to cinnamon or ginger powder. This aids in flavor and mixing abilities later on when cooking or baking.
Store in an Airtight Container
The fresh pomegranate powder is now ready to store and use in recipes!
Transfer the powder into sterile, airtight containers or jars with tight lids. Glass jars or rigid plastic containers both work well.
Be sure to label jars with the contents and date. Store containers in a cool, dark place like the pantry or fridge.
The powder will retain optimum flavor and vibrancy for 1-2 months when stored properly. Use it within this timeframe for best quality results.
Key Takeaway: Store homemade pomegranate powder in a cool, dark place for 1-2 months maximum.
Get Creative in the Kitchen!
Homemade pomegranate powder adds a unique, tangy flavor and pretty pink hue to many dishes.
Here are just a few ways to use your hand-crafted powder:
Baking
- Add to muffins, scones, or quick breads
- Swirl into cake, cookies, or pie filling
- Mix into frosting or whipped cream
Breakfasts
- Stir into oatmeal, yogurt, or chia pudding
- Blend into smoothies or overnight oats
- Top pancakes or waffles
Beverages
- Make pomegranate tea or lemonade
- Mix into cocktails or mocktails
- Add to hot cocoa or chai lattes
Savory Dishes
- Toss with roasted vegetables
- Mix into salad dressings or marinades
- Sprinkle on rice, quinoa or tabbouleh
Key Takeaway: Experiment with adding pomegranate powder to baked goods, oatmeal, smoothies, dressings, tea, and more.
DIY Pomegranate Skin Care
Aside from cooking, pomegranate powder has beauty benefits too. Its antioxidants and vitamins create great DIY skincare products.
Here are a some easy homemade skin care ideas:
Soothing Face Mask
- Mix powder with plain yogurt or honey
- Apply to face and let sit 10-15 minutes before rinsing
Gentle Exfoliant
- Stir powder into a small amount of water or oil
- Gently rub mixture on skin to slough off dead cells
Scalp Treatment
- Massage powder into scalp and hair
- Wrap hair and allow powder to penetrate for 30 minutes
- Shampoo and condition as normal
FAQs
How long does homemade pomegranate powder last?
When stored properly in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, pomegranate powder will retain optimum flavor and potency for 1-2 months. If stored in the refrigerator, it may last a bit longer - around 3 months.
What's the best way to dry pomegranate peels?
Dehydrating peels completely before blending into powder yields the best long-term stability and flavor. You can dehydrate several ways - in the oven at 200°F for 2-3 hours, or via sunlight for 1-2 days. Removing all moisture prevents spoilage.
Can you use a regular blender to make the powder?
While possible, a regular blender likely won't grind peels into as fine and fluffy of a powder texture. High-powered blenders like Vitamix do best at pulverizing the peels fully. But in a pinch, a normal blender will still work.
What can you use pomegranate powder for?
Homemade pomegranate powder is very versatile! Popular uses include adding to baked goods, oatmeal, smoothies, dressings, tea blends, mocktails and cocktails. It also makes nourishing DIY face masks, body scrubs, and hair treatments thanks to its vitamins and antioxidants.
Can you use other parts of the pomegranate fruit besides the peel?
Technically yes, but the peel/rind contains the highest concentration of nutrients and fiber. The juicy red seeds and pith around them are better enjoyed fresh or frozen rather than dried and powdered. Focus on saving all the peel remnants when prepping pomegranates.
Conclusion
Don't throw out those pomegranate peels again! Now that you know how to repurpose them into pink powder, you can unlock even more nutritional value from this antioxidant-rich superfruit.
The possibilities are endless for using homemade pomegranate powder. Have fun getting creative with it in the kitchen and in your self-care routine!