If a magic genie granted me three wishes, one of them would be to peer inside the growing flesh of fruit of a pomegranate. They are such and interesting fruit with their many pockets filled with little surprises. Garnet jeweled seeds, this ancient fruit is rumoured to have been the real forbidden fruit. The sheer pleasure in eating a pomegranate fruit is worth the cost every now and then. Usually it coincides with a conscious moment of how very far some of our food travels. Our family certainly wouldn’t mind living somewhere pomegranates grow, maybe someday. Until then, a luxurious raw chocolate bark adorned with the fruit of royalty will do the trick.
Health Benefits of Pomegranates
-1 pomegranate is equivalent to about 40% of the daily recommended intake of Vitamin C
–Antioxidants in pomegranates are powerfully protective against free radicals which wreak havoc on our cells. Pomegranates have more antioxidants than blueberries, acai berry and grapes.
– Reduce Inflammation One study discovered pomegranate actually decreased production of a cartilage destroying enzyme, potential use as a treatment for osteoarthritis and maintaining joint integrity and proper function.
–Heart health Pomegranate juice has been shown to slow the formation of arterial plaque and even reverse it. They’re also beneficial for those suffering from high blood pressure.
- 1 C raw cacao paste OR ¾C cacao butter + 6 Tbs cacao powder
- ⅓ C maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 1 pomegranate, flesh removed
- In a double boiler melt cacao paste (or butter) with maple syrup and coconut oil. Mix in the cacao powder once everything is melted (if your not using cacao paste).
- Prepare a baking dish lined with parchment paper, pour your chocolate mixture onto the paper and spread evenly.
- Top with pomegranate seeds and sea salt.
- Allow to set for an hour or so in the fridge.
- Store the bark in the fridge if you live in a warm climate.
