Health Facts:

California citrus has the perfect balance of sweet and tangy bursts of flavors that hit our taste buds and refresh our bodies. Not only do oranges taste delicious and smell amazing, they’re incredibly healthy for us as well. According to multiple studies, like most citrus, both lemons and oranges are high in Vitamin C. Vitamin C is important for many reasons including acting as an antioxidant, producing collagen and healing wounds (01). It may also strengthen our immune system—which is ironic because the California citrus season seems to come into play as the common cold season seems to arrive (02). Lack of this vital nutrient can have adverse effects on the human body.

Vitamin C deficiency can result in minor side effects including rough/dry skin, dry/splitting hair, bruising easily, slow wound healing and more (02). Let’s keep in mind that our bodies do not produce nor store Vitamin C, so it is important that we maintain it in our daily diets (03). Based on a 2,000 calorie diet, just one serving (about 5 slices) of either Bella Viva Dried Lemon or Orange Slices provides us with 170 percent of our daily value (DV) of Vitamin C.

There are many ways these dried citrus slices can be used such as simmering them in hot water to make a delicious tea, adding them to iced water for a refreshing twist, or using them as an ingredient in your next marinade. You can also snack on dried oranges straight out of the bag. The scents are so refreshing and colors inviting, you can even decorate with these bold halos! With the countless amount of uses and benefits available, it is Bella Viva Orchards’ hope our citrus can be loved by all.

1. http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/lemons-provide-vitamin-c-like-oranges-do-3508.html
2. https://draxe.com/vitamin-c-foods/
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155758.php

Fun Facts: Oranges & Lemons

Oranges:

01: It takes 67 gallons of water to produce a single pound of oranges (01).
02: An orange tree grafted onto rootstock may begin producing fruit after three years (02).
03: An orange tree grown from seed can take up to 15 years to produce fruit (02).
04: The California Navel Orange season usually runs from November to June (03).
05: Orange trees in California can grow around 15-20 feet tall (04).
06: Orange trees are considered evergreens but don’t produce fruit year-round (05).
07: You can make a natural cleaner consisting of orange peels (or lemon peels) and white vinegar (06).

Lemons:

01: It takes 77 gallons of water to produce a single pound of lemons (07).
02: After being grafted, it takes around five years for a lemon tree to produce fruit (08).
03: The California lemon season is year-round (09).
04: Lemon trees can produce up to 600 lbs of lemons every year. (10).
05: Lemon trees are evergreens (11).
06: Lemon juice can serve as a natural hair-lightening agent due to the citric acid levels found within it (12).
07: Lemons have been known to act as a natural cooling agent which can help reduce the appearance of scars (13).

1. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/13/food-water-footprint_n_5952862.html
2. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/long-oranges-grow-fully-developed-tree-59477.html
3. http://www.motherjones.com/files/2agovstat10_web-1.pdf
4. http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/living/home-garden/article57274213.html
5. http://www.fruitexpert.co.uk/orangetrees.html
6. https://preparednessmama.com/24-uses-for-oranges/
7. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/13/food-water-footprint_n_5952862.html
8. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/long-baby-citrus-tree-produce-fruit-92698.html
9. http://www.motherjones.com/files/2agovstat10_web-1.pdf
10. https://thatsitfruit.com/blog/10-interesting-facts-about-lemons/
11. https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/blog/citrus-trees-perfect-houseplants/
12. https://www.self.com/story/how-to-lighten-hair-with-lemon-juice
13. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-lemon.html