With winter days in full throttle we’ve got the perfect answer for cold days, the doldrums or a case of the sniffles. It’s our bright, bouncy and sassy Dried Oranges! Whether you enjoy any variety of our Dried Orange Slices as a zippy snack or perk up a recipe with our Dried Orange Powder, you’ll be adding nutritious California sunshine to your diet. You know that Oranges are the poster kids for vitamin C goodness, right!? Well, when you enjoy ‘em skin and all, you’re giving yourself a boost of dietary fiber, riboflavin, folate, thiamine, vitamin B6 and calcium. And experts tell us that

This comforting dessert, featuring Bella Viva Orchards’ Persimmons, Walnut Pieces and Unsweetened Shredded Coconut, makes a warm, sweet ending to your favorite fall dinner. The family will be sure to gather ‘round the kitchen when this fragrant beauty comes out of the oven. Send it over the top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, ice milk, gelato or sweetened Greek yogurt! Yields: 6-8 servings Prep time: 30 minutesCook time: 20-25 minutesTotal Time: 50-55 minutes Ingredients: Filling: 8 ounces Bella Viva Orchards’ PersimmonsWater2 tablespoons granulated sugar1 teaspoon cornstarch½ teaspoon cinnamonPinch of salt3-4 tablespoons reserved rehydrating liquid 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cubed Topping:

The cool and crisp autumn days in the Central Valley call for cozy sweaters, knit hats, a roaring fire…and our phenomenal Dried Persimmons, of course! We and our trusted neighbor grow these deep orange-hued fruits and harvest them at their peak of delicious sweetness from September through October. You’d think they had made a stop by your pantry because of their earthy sweet flavor, but they’re just good, honest Persimmons! Besides tasting oh-so-good, our Hachiya Persimmons are proud to offer some nice health benefits. They’re a source of dietary fiber, making them a weight-watcher’s friend. Oh, and your digestive system will also appreciate them

With fall’s baking season in full throttle, what can be easier than reaching for a bag of Bella Viva Orchards’ Walnut Pieces!? While they’re the perfect size for baking, they’re great sprinkled on banana pancakes, used as a yogurt topper, enjoyed at lunchtime in chicken salad or at dinnertime as a healthier coating for baked chicken breasts or accompaniment to your holiday green beans. Whether you go savory or sweet, your meals will thank you for adding these ready-to-use darlings! Besides having a perfect soft crunch and nutty flavor, Walnuts are a source of dietary fiber and plant-based protein which help with weight management

Looking for fresh holiday decorating ideas? We’ve got ‘em! Right now, our country store is festooned with fragrant and colorful decorations featuring our Dried Fruits and you can bring them into your own home with these easy DIY orchard-to-home decorations and potpourris. Let’s get started! Make a Bella Viva Orchards Evergreen-Citrus Wreath for indoors or out with a store-bought wreath and just a few supplies! It’s beautiful and so fragrant. Continue the theme with this fresh and natural Bella Viva Orchards Citrus Garland. Make it as long or as short as you want. So go ahead, stock up on Dried Oranges and Lemons and

Supplies (for one 6-foot garland): 24 Bella Viva Orchards Dried Orange Slices24 Bella Viva Orchards Dried Lemon Slices24 dried bay leaves12 cinnamon sticksSoft jute twine (from craft store or hardware store)Large upholsterer’s needle (large enough to fit the twine through the eye)Scissors Steps: 1.    Cut jute twine into an 10-foot length. Thread one end of twine through the needle. 2.    Thread one Dried Orange Slice, one Dried Lemon Slice and 3 bay leaves onto the twine. Push to the end until you have one foot of twine remaining. Tie a knot to secure the first Dried Orange slice to the twine and

The wreath we picked up had some pine cones and faux red berry stems already attached, which is a plus! You’ll need: Supplies (for one wreath): 1 store-bought fresh evergreen wreath6 pine cones (if not on purchased wreath)12 Bella Viva Orchards Dried Orange Slices15 Bella Viva Orchards Dried Lemon Slices15 Bella Viva Orchards Dried Tart Apple Rings8 cinnamon sticks4 faux red berry stems (available at your local craft store)1 ¾ yards of 2 ½-inch wide wire-edge ribbon1 natural-themed Christmas ornament (we used felt reindeer)Soft jute twine (from craft store or hardware store)Florist’s wireWire snippersScissors Steps: 1.    Using wire snippers, cut florist’s wire into

Supplies (for a dozen ornaments): Soft jute twine (from craft store or hardware store)9 Bella Viva Orchards Dried Orange Slices9 Bella Viva Orchards Dried Lemon Slices9 Bella Viva Orchards Dried Tart Apple Rings9 Bella Viva Orchards Dried Honeycrisp Apple SlicesOrnament hangers (from craft store) Steps: 1.    Cut twine into twelve 10-inch lengths. 2.    Using one 10-inch twine length, thread three Dried Orange Slices and tie twine into a bow. Repeat until you have three sets of oranges. Then thread three Dried Lemon Slices on 10-inch twine lengths until you have three sets. Continue by threading three Dried Tart Apple Rings on 10-inch

Transform the heavenly aroma of our country store to your home for the holidays. It’s easy to mix up a batch of dry or simmering Bella Viva Potpourris to fill your home with airy notes of Oranges, Lemons, Apples and warm winter spices. These blends are sure to delight your family and visitors alike! For Bella Viva Orchards Dry Potpourri, grab a large bowl and add 4 Dried Orange Slices, 4 Dried Lemon Slices, 6 Dried Tart Apple Slices, 8 whole cinnamon sticks, ¼ cup whole cloves, ¼ cup whole allspice, 2 teaspoons freshly ground nutmeg, 5 bay leaves and 7 or 8 small

Leave the deep fat fryer in the closet, ‘cause you’re about to enjoy this healthier dessert that’s long on sweetness and flakiness and short on the guilt. So pick your favorite varieties of sweet or tart Bella Viva Orchards’ Dried Apples and fire up that oven! It’s delish time in your house! Yields: 12 hand pies Prep time: 1 hour 15 minutesCook time: 20 minutesTotal Time: 2 hours 35 minutes (including fridge time) Ingredients: 1 recipe hand pie crust (recipe below), or 1 store-bought pie crust2 cups chopped Bella Viva Orchards Dried Skinless Apples (see note)About 2 cups very hot water1 teaspoon vanilla extract1