This year in the Central Valley, spring quickly turned to summer, then decided to turn back to winter – complete with some cool rain showers – then back to spring. It was a bit of a ride as we went from sweaters to tee shirts and shorts to down vests then getting out those tee shirts again. All the while, the Blueberries patiently waited on their bushes and the Cherries white-knuckled it on their trees as they waited out the unusual weather patterns. Thankfully for Blueberries, they like a little rain, as long as they don’t get waterlogged. What water this season’s light rains
May’s a busy time ‘round here, with the season’s early fruits being harvested. Among those early harvests are our Certified Organic Cherries. We invite you to take a moment to imagine being in the middle of a lush Cherry orchard watching these beautiful orbs being plucked from the trees just as their sugars reach that perfect level. Does it make you feel jubilant? Good! We hope so. They’re incredible. They’re organic. They smell heavenly in our drying yard. And they’re ready for you to enjoy right this moment. Now, that’s what it’s all about!
Drumroll, please! Sweet, plump and wonderfully addictive, our Dried Cherries are in! They’re a sure sign that summertime is coming! You’ll taste California sunshine in each bite of these dazzling fruits, which are sure to perk up your baked goodies, snacks and even savory meals. Grown right here in our orchards, then pitted and dried on the premises, they’re packed with flavor and nutrition! They’re a great source of vitamin C and are naturally GMO-free. Studies show that cherries have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate muscle soreness, improve blood pressure and even help you get a good night’s sleep! (1) Get
It’s Cherry Time: California’s cherry season lasts from mid-May through June and we’re hard at work drying them. While the season goes by quickly, thanks to our Dried Cherries, you can enjoy them any time of the year. We offer six varieties of Cherries including Certified Organic and sulfur-free Natural – all packed with sweetness and nutrients. For a special treat, try our Chocolate Covered Bing Cherries. Our Dried Cherries are offered in many of our Gift Crates, Baskets and Trays, too. Dried Cherries are rich in Vitamin A, which supports the body’s immune system – so go ahead and grab an extra handful.
Cherries – Organics are Back! The cherries are coming, the cherries are coming! Cherry season has arrived at Bella Viva and the dry yard is covered red with cherries. It’s a short season from just May to mid-June, but cherries are harvested across most of California’s Central Valley. At Bella Viva we are proud to grow our own cherries as well as partnering with local growers who share our passion for sustainability. We have several types of the dried cherries to fit every taste, including conventional, natural and organic. So come down to the store or buy online and enjoy the good life! Attention
Over time, we’ve celebrated our love for Prunes with you. We simply swoon over our Certified Organic Prunes and if you’ve had them, you know why. They’re amazingly large, sweet and plump and it’s hard to believe they’re organic! Not to slight our other Prunes, though, ‘cause they’re all second to none, if we may say so ourselves. You may recall from our September newsletter that we earned our designation as Certified Organic on our Prunes that we’ve grown in estate orchards that have been in our family for over 75 years. These dark and wrinkly jewels have won our hearts over. It took
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
As much as we wish it wasn’t the case, cold and flu season is upon us. We know. Don’t shoot the messengers. We hear theories that staying home will help reduce our chances of contracting the flu. Others say that being out and about helps build immunities. And the theories go on. What we can say with certainty is that we have some Organic notables on our shelves that are worthy of your attention. We love all of our Dried Fruits and it’s hard to pick favorites, but when it comes to nutrient-packed stars that may give us an extra boost during this season,
The combination of Bella Viva Orchards’ Dried Cherries with cacao nibs conjures up images of decadence – but with reduced guilt. These fast and easy treats are on the healthier side through the use of whole wheat flour and plant-based cacao nibs. Kids of all ages will devour these treats, so you might want to double the batch! Delish! Yields: About 24 cookies Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 12 minutes Total Time: 22 minutes Ingredients: 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup whole wheat flour 1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 4 ounces (1 cube) unsalted butter ¾
Here in the Central Valley the trees are alive with millions of blossoms, buzzy bees doing their pollinating jobs and the promise of an abundance of fruits and nuts on each branch. Springtime here means that California’s getting ready to produce a great array of fruits and nuts to be enjoyed throughout our country – and many parts of the world! The cycle of Petal to Plate is the result of a loving partnership between mankind and Mother Nature. You could say we need each other. About the Petals: ‘Round here the orchards are filled with trees in varying stages of bloom. Near February,
