Category: Uncategorized

Behold: The Courageous Cranberry!

Brilliant red, sweet and tart. That’s the courageous Cranberry! These beautiful berries, sweetened just enough to round out that puckerfulness, are screaming to be part of your healthy diet. They want you to think of them when it’s time for breakfast, lunch, snacktime and dinner. They especially want you to think of them now that cooler weather and holidays are upon us. Dried Cranberries are a source of dietary fiber and some calcium, iron and potassium. They’re also GMO-free, fat free and sodium-free. Their claim to fame? Think about antioxidants and bioactive compounds rather than vitamins and minerals. These compounds help promote healthier metabolism,

Peerless Pears: A Summer Swan Song!

Think of sweet summer days growing shorter as fall arrives. We hope when you do, thoughts of sweet and shapely Pears come to mind, ‘cause now’s the time to enjoy these golden fruits that we harvest at the end of summer. Pears can be simple or fancy, enjoyed as is or used in your favorite recipes. So tear open that bag of Bella Viva Orchards’ plump Pears and read on as you feed your palate and your body in a most wonderful way!   Because Pears have a good amount of dietary fiber in each serving, they’re your friend when it comes to digestive health,

A Penchant for Prunes: Fall Beauties Are Ready!

We can’t help but boast a bit: Our Prunes are spectacular. We grow, harvest and dry them ourselves right here at Bella Viva Orchards. Now, if your grandmother made you eat Prunes as a kid, maybe it’s time to rethink them. They are worthy, for sure! You can incorporate Prunes into your diet any time of the day, from fruity and sweet breakfasts to lunchbox companions to savory dinner entrees. And yes, they make a prime midday snack that’s filled with good nutrition and help keep you full ‘til dinnertime. Besides being great for intestinal health – thanks for making that clear, Grandmother –

Peaches and Nectarines: Our Pride and Joy!

We love summertime here in the Central Valley! The long, warm days bring us sweet Peaches and Nectarines that are grown and harvested from our very own trees. We’re humbly proud of these beautiful bright gems that we dry in our own drying yard. These sweet and nutritious stone fruits are among our favorites and we’re sure you’ll love ‘em too!  Beyond being delicious, fuzzy-skinned Peaches and their smooth-skinned Nectarine cousins can help fend off cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic conditions. Compounds found in these fruits may help promote healthier cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation and obesity-related illnesses. They’re sources of vitamins C and A,

In the Kitchen: Stuffed Peaches and Nectarines

This recipe featuring Bella Viva Orchards’ Dried Peaches and Nectarines crowned with chopped Pistachio Kernels makes a sweet and pretty treat. The taste of summer is in each bite! Yields: 12 treats Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 11 minutes (10 minutes for fruit, 1 minute for syrup) Total Time: About 1 hour Ingredients: 6 Bella Viva Orchards Dried Peaches (any variety, see note) 6 Bella Viva Orchards Dried Nectarines (any variety, see note) 1 cup water 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice ¼ cup white sugar 4 ounces mascarpone, room temperature ⅓ cup Bella Viva Orchards Pistachio Kernels Instructions: In a medium saucepan,

Blueberries: A Good Case of Summertime Blues!

Mother Nature was on her game when she created California Blueberries! Grown in nearby fields and dried in Bella Viva Orchards drying yards, these fruits screaming summertime are ready to enjoy now! Sweet, a little tangy and dark sapphire-colored, these little guys are dietary superheroes! They’re a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants, which means they are beneficial to cardiovascular health, digestive health, immune function and some studies suggest antioxidants may even help prevent certain cancers (2). Now how can something so powerful to your health be so sweet and easy to enjoy? Take ‘em at face value and eat some right out

Bada-Boom: Cherries Are In!

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

In the Kitchen: Oatmeal Cherry Cacao Nib Cookies

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

In the Kitchen: Cranberry and Pistachio Biscotti

When you make this recipe featuring Bella Viva Orchards’ Cranberries, Pistachio Kernels and Orange Powder, we’re sure you’ll find they’re worth the extra time to prepare. They’re so easy to make and are perfect as a dessert, teatime sweet or quick breakfast (we won’t tell)! Yields: About 18 biscotti Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes (total) Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Ingredients: 2 cups flour ½ teaspoon salt 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder 2 eggs ¾ cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons Bella Viva Orchards Orange Powder ½ cup unsalted butter 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup Bella

Berry, Berry Good: Celebrating Nature’s Gems!

Small and jewel-like, who can resist Dried Berries to brighten a meal or snack? Our ruby-hued Dried Strawberries, Dried Cranberries and sapphire-colored Dried Blueberries make tasty and nutrition-packed additions to your diet. Dried, sliced California Strawberries: Experts say they have anti-inflammatory qualities, help promote healthier cholesterol levels, regulate blood pressure and promote artery health (1). They’re a source of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber and folic acid and can be good for digestive health! And Cranberries: Lightly sweetened to ease the pucker, sources state they’re low in calories and can be beneficial for cardiovascular and urinary tract health (2). Did someone ask for Dried