Goji Berries
Goji Berry or wolfberry, describes the fruit of two closely related species of boxthorn from the nightshade family, which includes many plants known for their medicinal properties.
They originate in Asia, and Oriental medicine traditions have used both the berries and the leaves for around 6,000 years.
The leaves of the young plant can also be eaten as a vegetable.
Goji berries are normally eaten dried, rather than fresh.
FORMATS
- Whole dried
OTHER POINTS TO NOTE
Goji berries were lauded as 'a superfood some years ago, with claims of their health benefits based on the fact that they are high in a number of antioxidants and polysaccharides. These claims have not been scientifically tested, and a class action was actually filed against a producer in the United States for making false and misleading claims!
COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN
- China
HARVEST
- July
VARIETIES
Lycium barbarum and Lycium Chinese are the two main varieties of goji berry.
The Ningxia goji has been grown along the Yellow River in China for more than 700 years, and this variety is the one most used in Chinese medicine.
NUTRIENT HIGHLIGHTS
- A source of protein, with 14g per 100g
- A source of dietary Fibre
- A source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C
- A source of Calcium
- 40% from carbohydrate, of which over 50% comes from natural sugars