Goji, WolfBerry, Lycium Barbarum Benefits & Recipes

Posted under Fruit & Vegetable, Natural Remedy by susan

Nowadays, almost everyone heard about Goji, thanks to the quite successful marketing of “Tibetan Goji” and “Himalayan Goji” products. However, if you ever tried to look for Tibetan or Himalayan Goji in China, you probably would never find it. Most probably, you would see a surprised face and a “what?” You know what? People in China never heard about such thing as an Authentic Tibetan or Himalayan Goji! The hometown of Goji berry is in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of north-central China. The unique, mineral-rich alkaline soil (pH 8.2 to 8.6) and wide temperature range (-16 F to 102 F) have produced the most beautiful goji berries. China Xinhua News Agency reported that Ningxia goji berry is far superior to ordinary Chinese goji berry – in both tonic effects and economic results”.

Goji is also known as Gou qi zi, Goji, wolfberry, lycium fruit, Lycium barbarum; Lycium chinense; Lycium europeaum. Goji berries have long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Goji berry , noted in Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing 《神农本草经》) (475 – 221 B.C.), benefits ranging from replenishing vital essences to strengthening and restoring major organs. Bencao Gangmu (本草纲目) written by Li Shizhen in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) reported that taking in goji berry regularly may regulate the flow of vital energy and strengthen the physique, which can lead to longevity. No long ago, the Chinese national census reported that the number of Ningxia residents living more that 100 years exceeds the national average by an amazing 400%. The people of Ningxia attributed their healthy and longevous life to the daily consumption of Goji.

Ginseng, Lingzhi, and Goji were three cherished tonic for health know by ancient Chinese people. In traditional Chinese medicine practice, Goji has many many Health Benefits.

It is believed that Goji can:

* protect the liver
* help eyesight
* improve sexual function and fertility
* strengthen the legs
* boost immune function
* improve circulation
* promote longevity

Where the Best Goji Grow?

Even Goji has been marketed as Tibert/Himalaya grown in western countries these days. If you ask any native Chinese, or even the native people from Tibet, they will probably tell you that the best Goji is from Ning Xia province.

Read some more honest reading about Origin of Goji Berry and health benefit at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfberry

What Does Goji Looks Like and How it Tastes?

Goji berries have a mild tangy taste that is slightly sweet and sour. Proper dried Goji has a similar shape and chewy texture as raisins, and slightly harder.

The good berry should be very dried.

How to Enjoy Goji Berry?

(1) Home Made Trial Mix

Mix Goji Berry with various dried nuts, chocolate chips, pretzel piece

(2)Bake Goji Cookies/Bread

Use Goji Berry as Raisin or Craisin, add to your daily baking

(3) Make Tea

Add 10~20 goji berry to a cup, add boiling water. The tea will taste tangy with mild sweetness

(4) Make Goji Wine

Soak Goji in Liquor as long as you want, a traditional Chinese way to enjoy Goji benefit

(5)Cook with Goji:

Add Goji to any your vegetable, meat dish, right before the cooking is done. Goji is widely used in soup or stew by Chinese.

(6)Make Goji Fruit Smoothies.

Add some goji into your favorite smoothies.

(7)Let Your imagination go wild!

PierMall.com carries the high quality NingXia Goji Berry fruits. They are very large in size: Over 0.5 Inch. Unlike new electrical dried goji, which are too dry to chew in most of the case. Goji we carry are traditional sun dried: very dry yet still chewy and clean. We offer different value pack size and we also offer wholesale by case (30 lb/case).