31 top goji berry kitchen insights for you

Did you know that the Goji berry is considered by some to be the key to eternal youth?

• A study that was carried out in China’s most northern province found that the region had 16 times as many centenarians per capita as the rest of the country combined. This is because goji berries are grown and eaten in large numbers in the area.
• Goji berries have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of a wide variety of conditions, ranging from difficulties with the liver and kidneys to issues with the skin, eyes, immune system, and digestive tract. This practice dates back thousands of years.
• Dried goji berries must be cooked before they can be eaten, which is the norm. They are often used as an herbal tea as well as in traditional Chinese soups. In addition, goji berries may be used to make medicine, wine, and juice. They are also consumed fresh.
• The fruit of the Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense plants is known as goji, goji berry, or wolfberry. The place of origin of the common English name “wolfberry” is not known. This mistaken idea may have come from the false belief that the Latin name Lycium came from the Greek word o (lycos), which can be translated as “wolf.” Since about the year 2000, people who speak English have begun referring to these fruits as “goji berries.”

Goji berry nutrition values and health benefits

1. They have a flavour that is sweet and tangy at the same time, and their colour is a beautiful red. Because of this, they have been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years, and they are still used today. It has been suggested that they may slow down the appearance of age-related symptoms, maintain good eye health, and improve the function of organs in the digestive system such as the liver, kidneys, and lungs.
2. As a result of the growing interest in goji berries, their inclusion in dietary supplements and superfood blends is on the rise. In these products, goji berries are often combined with a variety of different fruits, herbs, and extracts. These berries may also be purchased dried or ground up, and they can be incorporated into a variety of other meals. Baking is one of the most common use for them.
3. Goji berries are a popular food choice due to its high nutritional density, which includes a high concentration of vitamins and minerals. Iron is a mineral that is present in all living things and plays an important role in the transportation of oxygen as well as the production of robust red blood cells. The antioxidant properties of vitamins A and C play a vital role, not only in the immune system but also in the general health of the body.
4. Antioxidants are compounds that help in the neutralisation of potentially destructive molecules known as free radicals, which in turn reduces the amount of damage done to cells. According to the findings of certain studies, increasing the amount of antioxidants you take in on a regular basis may help to reduce inflammation and shield you against the risk of developing chronic illnesses including cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
5. Traditional medicine has relied on goji berries for the better part of a millennium to treat a wide variety of ailments, including infections and diseases, as well as to naturally strengthen the immune system. According to the findings of a study that was carried out on sixty individuals in their later years, the consumption of four ounces (120 millilitres) of goji berry juice on a daily basis for a period of thirty days increased the number of immune cells in the body and improved overall feelings of well-being. Despite this, there remains a need for more investigation.
6. According to some promising research, eating goji berries may enhance eye health and protect against diseases such as macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is a progressive eye condition that, if ignored, may result in the loss of one’s vision. Goji berries are also rich in antioxidants such as zeaxanthin, which may help to protect your lenses and retinas from degradation. Zeaxanthin is one among the antioxidants found in goji berries.
7. Goji berries are safe for the majority of healthy people to ingest, provided that they do so in moderation and as part of a diet that is otherwise well-balanced. On the other hand, in very unusual cases, these berries may provoke an allergic reaction; this is more likely to occur in those who are hypersensitive to other types of fruit. In addition, the usage of goji berries should be approached with care since they have the potential to interact negatively with some drugs, including those used to treat diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as blood thinners.
8. In addition, pregnant women should exercise caution while using these products since they contain betaine, a chemical that research has proven to be detrimental to the health of the developing foetus. It is necessary to do further research in order to determine whether or not goji berries may be consumed safely during pregnancy. Goji berries are a kind of superfood that need to be included into the diets of all people. If you are currently on medication or have underlying health concerns, you should discuss the inclusion of these foods with your physician before adding them to your diet.

100g of goji berries have 349 calories (1460kj), 15g protein, 1g fat, and 77g carbs, including 13g fibre.

How to store goji berry and how to buy them

• It is quite difficult to come across fresh, juicy, and plump goji berries since the vast majority of them that are sold in supermarkets and on the internet are dried. Goji berries may also be found at certain health food shops. Goji berries are dried because, despite efforts to cultivate them closer to home, the vast majority of goji berries still have to travel a long distance before they reach their final destination.
• When purchasing dried goji berries, it is important to check the product label to verify that they do not include any added sugars or preservatives such as sulphur dioxide. Sulphur dioxide is often added to dried fruits so that they may keep their colour and freshness for a longer period of time. Additionally, if you are concerned about buying food that was produced organically, search for certification information on the packaging of the product.
• Dried goji berries of the highest quality will be crumbly and dry, but they will still have a bit of a soft bite. Their consistency will be comparable to that of a raisin that is chewier. Because the process of dehydrating the berries is somewhat different for each brand, it is possible that you will need to experiment with a large number of various brands. If, on the other hand, you purchase a bag of berries and find that they are unusually crunchy, this may be an indication that you purchased a flawed bag.
• Goji berries that have been dried should be stored in an environment that is free of moisture and direct sunlight (your pantry is just fine). Some companies may claim that their berry products have a longer shelf life if they package them with additional preservatives; however, this is not necessarily the case. To prevent the dried berries from becoming clumpy, it is important to store them in an airtight container away from any sources of moisture.
• It is important to remember that goji berries, just like any other fresh food, need to be washed well before being consumed, and this is not an exception. You need to give them a thorough cleaning before you can even begin to think about how you’re going to store them for the long term. If you want to keep your goji from going bad and getting mushy, you may store them in the refrigerator without washing them first. Put the goji berries in a colander that has holes in it that are so small that they won’t let the berries go down the drain.
• It is one of the most efficient ways, as well as one of the easiest, for preserving fruit over extended periods of time while ensuring that its nutritional content is preserved.
  1. After you have finished cleaning them, you should make sure that they are completely dry before trying to freeze them.
  2. When you freeze food, your main objective is to lessen the size of the ice crystals that form and diminish the food’s nutritional value.
  3. This happens because larger ice crystals are more difficult to melt. It is one of the worst things you can do to food by putting it in the freezer when it is still moist after cooking.
  4. You can keep frozen goji berries in your freezer for at least three months if you store them carefully in an airtight container and do not expose them to any moisture.
  5. If you want to know how long the items have been sitting in the bag or container before you consume them, you should write the date that they were frozen on the bag or container.
• It is not necessary to let frozen goji berries thaw before using them in a recipe that calls for baked goods.
  1. You may add them to the recipe while they are frozen, and they won’t affect the outcome in any way after they are cooked.
  2. If you want to incorporate the ingredients into a sauce that will be cooked at a later stage, you may use this procedure with equally good results.
  3. Those individuals who like to eat their goji berries in their fresh state may easily and quickly defrost them by just placing them out on the counter where you keep your groceries.
  4. They will thaw rather quickly, often in about 10 minutes, although this depends on how evenly you distribute them on the surface.
  5. However, if you are defrosting a big bag or container all at once, you should be prepared to wait for a longer period of time.
  6. If it is at all feasible, place the container in the sink so that any condensation or water that drops off of it may be captured and stored.
  7. This should be done while the container defrosts.

Cooking techniques, secrets, and tips from the kitchen

1. A healthy and delicious smoothie that is loaded with vitamins and minerals is a recipe that can never go wrong. A goji berry smoothie bowl is a super-delicious and very nutrient-dense treat that can be had for breakfast, supper, as a snack, or even as a nutritious dessert to keep you energised all throughout the day. In addition to that, it is an excellent way to start the day. For a more filling breakfast, try enhancing the bowl with more seasonal fruits of your choice, unsweetened soymilk, and chia seeds. Then, sprinkle the top with even more fruit, other seeds, nuts, and coconut.
2. Making homemade granola mixes that can be tailored to your own tastes is one of the tastiest ways to include goji berries into your cooking.
   • These mixtures may be personalised as you want.
   • It is possible to produce a beautiful granola by combining raw walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, unsweetened dry coconut, dried goji berries, dairy-free chocolate chips, oats, and chia seeds, and then baking it until it is brown and delicious.
   • You have complete control over the number of components that go into your homemade granola, which is one of the numerous perks of making it on your own.
   • This quick and simple breakfast or snack is packed with nutrients and is a great way to give yourself a boost whenever you need it during the day.
   • It is always a good idea to bring along a nutritious snack that you can take with you when you leave the house, whether you are going to work, doing errands, or simply enjoying some fresh air.
3. Create a scrumptious and crowd-pleasing sweet treat by folding them into a muffin made with nutritious grains and giving it to everyone you know. You can use fresh or dried goji berries in place of blueberries in any recipe, even your tried-and-true blueberry muffin recipe, and you will be ready to go in no time. This technique may be used to a wide range of baked items, such as crumbles, bars, and cobblers, in addition to various types of sweet treats.
4. Goji berries are a delicious addition to recipes for plant-based, dairy-free yoghurt that are already delicious. These days, you may get delectable yoghurts made from a range of plants, such as coconut, almond, soy, rice, oats, and other grains and grains like rice and oats. To make an eye-catching parfait without much effort, just layer your plant-based yoghurt with granola and either fresh or dried goji berries in a glass dish or mason jar.
5. Tea made from Goji berries is readily accessible. After placing a handful of goji berries in a large glass that has been filled with either hot or cold water or herbal tea, you should wait anywhere from five to ten minutes before consuming the mixture. As a direct outcome of this, you will see that they swell up and acquire an abundant amount of juice. You may ingest the berries and tea, both of which are rich in antioxidants and can be eaten on a regular basis. You can also drink the tea.
6. To liven up your standard nut combination and give it a little more variety, try throwing in a handful or two of gojis. You may toss them into nut mixes that have already been produced, or you can make your own from yourself using the components listed below. In any event, the inclusion of your goji berries will result in a substantial increase in the total quantity of added nutritional value!
7. Despite the fact that they seem a little bit weird, goji berries have been a staple of Chinese cuisine, especially in soups, for thousands of years. Because of their little size and the fact that they do not have an overpowering taste, they will not have a large impact on the flavour of your soup; rather, they will make it much more healthier.
8. It is possible to enhance the flavour of the goji berry by combining it with other naturally sweet foods, such as other fresh fruits like kiwi, mango, and peaches. In addition, this dish contains components such as spinach, tuna, carrots, lentils, chicken, and rice, to name just a few.

History of goji berries from the beginning until today

• China has historically valued goji berries. Legend has it that 2,000 years ago, a doctor visited a Chinese hamlet where everyone was 100 or older. He felt it was odd that they all drank from a goji berry-lined well. The idea was that as the fruit developed, it would fall into the well and release its vitamin-rich contents into the water.
• According to folklore, 17th-century herbalist Li Qing Yuen ate goji berries everyday and lived to 252 years old. Chinese mums told their children that goji berries would prevent them from needing glasses to finish their bowls of old fire simmer soup to encourage them to eat them.
• The way this simple fruit is consumed is changing. The goji berry is today considered a superfood in China and beyond, despite its ancient Chinese roots.
• The fruit is extremely popular abroad. Westerners are hooked to the “superfood” and will pay up to US$10 for a bag of berries, three times the price in Asia.
• Due of superfood prices, farmers are urged to provide their fruit to stores promptly. Since the fresh berries only last a few weeks, Ningxia farmers sell most of their 180,000 tonnes of goji berries as dried. In the summer heat, berries develop quickly, forcing farmers to harvest quickly.