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!
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,
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
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,
When you think of holiday baking, we’ll bet you think about nuts and dried fruits. That’s great, ‘cause we have your holiday baking essentials right here! While there are too many to mention, we’re highlighting just a few of our faves here! Holiday recipes calling for flour get healthier when you use our Almond Flour, which is tasty and has all the benefits of Almonds including being gluten-free, higher in protein and lower in sugar than wheat flour. Substitute it or combine it with wheat flour for extra goodness. Also, perfect for fruitcakes and more, our Natural Dried Muscat Raisins are plump and have
Easy to Make Cherry Scones: These fast and easy cherry scones are a flavor-packed and healthy way to enjoy Bella Viva Orchards’ sweet and plump Dried Cherries, our tasty Almond Flour and Sliced California Almonds. They have just the right amount of sweetness and flakiness and make a beautiful addition to your weekend brunch. They also make a nice weekday breakfast treat. Total Time: 25-30 minutes Yields: 10 Scones Prep Time: 10 Cook Time: 15-20 min. Ingredients: 2 cups packed down Bella Viva Orchards Almond Flour 1 heaping Tbs baking powder ½ tsp finely ground sea salt ¾ c to 1 cup sugar (to
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.
Where It All Began: If you’re like a lot of people, you enjoy snacking on dried fruit. Have you ever stopped to think about how the idea of drying came about? Drying fruit has been around for centuries and is the process of extracting most of the original water content from the fruit. When fresh food was tougher to come by, having dried fruit on hand stood in place of fresh fruit in our diets. The main idea of drying fruit was to help preserve it; dried fruit lasts a lot longer than fresh fruit and is a lot easier to keep on hand.
Easy to Make Granola Recipe: Quick, easy, and healthy, you can’t go wrong with this homemade Bella Viva granola. This flourless, crunchy snack is packed with flavor and healthy fats! Unlike traditional granola, this recipe uses nuts and flax seed as the base which contain omega-3 fatty acids. You can even add 1 cup of your favorite Bella Viva dried fruits and nuts to make it your own! Total Time: 50 minutes Serves: 6 Yields: 6 Cups Prep Time: 15 min. Bake Time: 30 – 40 min. Ingredients: 1 ½ cups raw walnuts 1 ½ cups raw cashews 2 cups oats 1 cup ground
