As you may know, one of my favorite parts about warm weather is BBQing or going out on picnics. I’m always to search for tasty treats to add to our meals, or snacks for when we hit the playground. I’ve been on a little bit of a nut and dried bananas kick lately. This is exactly why I was more than thrilled to learn about Bella Viva Orchards and their selection of fruit, chocolate, and trail mix!
Created by the Martino Family in Central Valley of Northern California, Bella Viva Orchards specializes in fruit and dried fruit, nuts and chocolate. Quality has always been number one to them, whether their selling their products online, to the local restaurants, or at the farmer’s stand on the side of the road to passerby customers.
Bella Viva Orchards generously sent me their Eco Fruit Tote for taste testing and review! The reusable canvas shopping tote arrived at my front step packed with dried fruit and nuts. I could definitely tell this was one durable tote as it carried that 9.5 lbs of goodies up my 3 flights of stairs. Included in the tote: 1 lb of Dried Yellow Peaches, 1 lb of Red Flame Seedless Raisins, 1 lb of Cashews, 1 lb of Dried Betty Ann Plums, 1 lb of Almonds, 1 lb of Dried Slab Apricots, 1 lb of Dried Pitted Prunes, 1 lb of Dried Pears, 12 oz of Natural Dried Blueberries, 8 oz of Natural Dried Yellow Peaches, and 8 oz of Natural Dried Persimmons.
Now I’m always a little on the hesitant side with dried fruit in general because I worry that companies either make it way too sweet or there is not enough flavor. Belle Viva packed the right amount of flavor! My favorites were the pears and the red flame raisins! The taste of the pears was perfect and the raisins were quite plump and moist, and more impressive than the ones you just buy at your regular grocery store chain.
Another treat I enjoyed were the blueberries! These berries are packed with nutrients, and help reduce oxidative stress on the brain. As one stressful momma, I was happy to learn that little tidbit. They are also known to support the vascular system and fight E. Coli. Delicious and healthy? Great!
As for the nuts, I received almonds and cashews! The cashews were quite flavorful and not overly salty. As for the almonds, I’ve never been much of a fan. I don’t like the outside “skin” (for lack of a better term) on the nut. However, my mom who loves almonds really enjoyed these ones because they were not salty at all like some almonds.
The Eco Fruit Tote makes a great gift for any occasion, perfect as maybe a birthday gift or a house warming present. Or you can just pick one up for yourself as a healthy treat alternative.
Buy It: You can purchase products from Bella Viva Orchards right off their website! Items are also available for purchase at online retailer Amazon.
Win It: One lucky reader will win a gift from Bella Viva Orchards of their very own! Simply fill out the easy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway ends on June 17th, 2012, at 11:59 pm EST and is open to residents of the US only. Once a winner is drawn via Rafflecopter, I will contact the winner through email. They will then have 48 hours to respond. If there is no response, I will draw a new winner. Please add mdmommareviews at gmail.com to ensure my notification email does not go to SPAM. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
i love all the chocolate covered fruits they have
i learned that bella viva means beautiful long life in Italian.
I learned that they have recipes! I liked this one alot:
http://www.bellaviva.com/Recipes_ep_44.html#hocc
jillcollins68@yahoo.com
I like that they have been certified organic since 2006!
I like the
California’s Organic Gift Basket 11lbs
CERTIFIED organic
I love the dried fruits, can take them anywhere.
Since 2006 they have been a certified organic fruit grower
organic and love their selection of chocolate!
Love the California’s Fruit & Nuts, 3lbs …
got to know that even we can get unsweetened strawberries .
Love the http://www.bellaviva.com/raccoloto-gift-boxe
I LOBE THE FIUTS AND NUTS…..
I like the “online special” section where they have special on certain items – emscout9 at Hotmail dot com
I like the California’s Organic Gift Basket 11lbs
I’m surprised about the variety of fruits that they have available. I don’t think I’ve ever seen dried persimmons anywhere.
I’d love to try the chocolate covered bing cherries!
They sell no preservative dried fruit!
Thanks :)