Month: July 2021

Certified Organic Dried Black Figs: Be on a Mission!

In the mood for a mini history lesson? Great! Okay, students, today’s lesson is on Figs. We promise to keep it short, so stay with us. Figs are among the oldest cultivated fruits in our world’s history. Some say they go back around 11,000 years to Western Asia, making their way throughout the Mediterranean, including Spain. Then, around 1520, some Spaniards thought it would be a good idea to bring them to America. And are we glad they did! The California Mission Fig, named after the missionaries in San Diego, were first planted at their San Diego mission in 1769. They made their way

August at Bella Viva Orchards: New Crop of Apricots!

Every morning this summer, our Certified Organic Apricots woke up to the gentle, warm Central California sun then soaked up every drop of that sunshine as the days grew warmer – and sometimes downright hotter! It’s what happens around here. Our ‘cots love it! And we love them right back! We just can’t stop talking about ‘em so please indulge us while we tempt you! Our Certified Organic California Apricots are grown in our own organic orchard that’s been lovingly cared for over the years to produce big, beautiful, sweet organic fruit. Organic purists will tell you how good these bronzy-Apricot-hued fruits are. We

In the Kitchen: Bella Viva Orchards Fig, Almond and Ricotta Toasts

This Mediterranean-inspired appetizer recipe, featuring Bella Viva Orchards’ Certified Organic Dried Black Figs and Certified Organic Raw Almonds, is easy enough to make on a weeknight and special enough to be served for company. By using Dried Figs, you’re packing an extra concentrated punch of sweet, earthy flavor. Yields: 12 small toasts Prep time: 5 minutesCook time: 15 minutesTotal Time: 35 minutes (includes cooling time) Ingredients: 1 cup Bella Viva Orchards Certified Organic Dried Black Figs (about 12)¾ cup water½ cup Bella Viva Orchards Certified Organic Raw Almonds, roughly chopped½ cup whole milk ricotta cheese (fresh is best)12 slices thin baguettePinches of flaky sea

In the Kitchen: Currant Cream Scones

These rich scones, featuring Bella Viva Orchards’ Organic Zante Currants, are easy to make – and even easier to eat! We’ll bet this recipe will find its way to your kitchen for many breakfasts and tea breaks. Yields: 6 scones Prep time: 10 minutesCook time: 20-25 minutesTotal Time: 30-35 minutes Ingredients: 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour2 ½ teaspoons baking powder¼ cup granulated sugar¼ teaspoon fine sea salt¼ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes½ cup Bella Viva Orchards Organic Zante Currants½ cup whipping cream1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk (reserve the egg white for egg wash), lightly beatenTurbinado sugar, for sprinkling

Certified Organic Mangoes: A Vacay in your Mouth!

It’s not a surprise. Summer can be hot. So grab a lounge chair and park it in the shade. Pour a nice cold beverage and get a bag of Bella Viva Orchards Certified Organic Dried Mangoes out of your pantry. This, fellow fruit lovers, is what summer’s all about! Yes, you’re about to embark on a tropical vacation. In your mouth. If you haven’t hopped on a plane to a place where the Mango and palm trees are swaying in the warm breeze, you can save time and money by enjoying that vacation in the comfort of your own home. And this, our flip-flop

July at Bella Viva Orchards: Keen on those Peaches!

We wish you were here with us right now. As we walk through our Certified Organic Peach orchards on these warm Central California days, we’re enveloped in the aromas of sweet, juicy, beautiful Peaches. It’s heavenly and we consider ourselves beyond lucky to experience this splendor. If you haven’t been in the middle of a Peach orchard on a summer day, we think you should add that experience to your bucket list! Our Certified Organic Peaches are grown in an estate orchard that’s been in our family since 1987. At Bella Viva Orchards, we grow several varieties of Peaches, with our largest planting being

In the Kitchen: Bella Viva Orchards Peach Cherry Crisp

This easy tasty recipe, featuring Bella Viva Orchards’ Certified Organic Dried Peach Slices, Certified Organic Dried Cherries and Certified Organic Pecans, is sure to bring summer sunshine to your family and friends any time of the year. You can feel good about using more fruit to thicken the crisp, too! Yields: 6 to 8 servings Prep time: 25 minutesCook time: 35 minutesTotal Time: 1 hour Ingredients: For fruit filling:5 cups Bella Viva Orchards Certified Organic Peach Slices, divided1 cup Bella Viva Orchards Certified Organic Dried Cherries, halved3 cups water¾ cup granulated sugarZest of 1 lemonJuice of ½ fresh lemonPinch Kosher salt For streusel topping:¾

In the Kitchen: Orange Cheesecake

This recipe, featuring Bella Viva Orchards’ Certified Organic Orange Chips and Orange Powder, will make you a superstar at your next special occasion gathering. The crust and cheesecake and the Orange Chip topping can be made a day ahead and kept separated until the day of service. Yields: 12 servings Prep time: 30 minutesCook time: 55 minutesInactive time: at least 3 hoursTotal Time: at least 4 hours 25 minutes, including cooling times Ingredients: For the topping:24 Bella Viva Orchards Certified Organic Orange Chips1 cup water1/2 cup granulated sugar¼ cup fresh orange juice For the crust: 1 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs¼ cup granulated sugar1/3

In the Kitchen: Pear, Date and Almond Fingerprint Cookies

This easy no-bake recipe, featuring Bella Viva Orchards’ Certified Organic Dried Pears, Certified Organic Medjool Dates, Certified Organic Raw Almonds, Almond Flour and Almond Butter, is a flavor-packed recipe that will keep your oven off and your taste buds on! A plus? They’re a vegan, GMO-free and gluten-free sweet treat for the whole family! Yields: 1 dozen cookies Prep time: 25 minutesCook time: 0 minutes!Total Time: 25 minutes Ingredients: For the cookies: 1 cup roughly chopped Bella Viva Orchards Certified Organic Dried Pears½ cup roughly chopped Bella Viva Orchards Certified Organic Medjool Dates¼ cup roughly chopped Bella Viva Orchards Certified Organic Raw Almonds¼ cup