Goji berries are shriveled and red, not unlike a sunburned raisin…not necessarily the thing you’d find most appetizing. But, what if we told you that within their wrinkled exterior beat the ever-pumping heart of a SUPERFOOD? That’s right, the humble goji berry is dense with nutrients. So, what makes them so darn good for you? Let’s find out, as we delve deep into the world of goji berries.
What is a goji berry?
Goji berries are vibrant, red-orange berries that grow on the Lycium barbarum shrub native to China. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, goji berries are celebrated for their potential health benefits and they have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. They are also known as wolfberries (which are especially good if you’re looking to get rid of your three-little-pigs berries).
What do goji berries taste like?
Goji berries are sweet and tart. They’re a little bit like raisins or dried cranberries, but tangier. The flavor is often described as a harmonious mix of sweet and sour notes, so they can be used in both dessert and savory dishes.
How to eat goji berries?
You can eat goji berries by the handful as a snack or mix them into your morning cereal or yogurt. While they’re typically dried when you buy them (like raisins), you can rehydrate goji berries by soaking them in water or tea and then add them to salads for a pop of tartness, or use them as a topping for desserts. You can blend them into smoothies for an extra nutritional boost, or infuse them into hot water to make goji berry tea.
Sure, “superfood” doesn’t necessarily mean these berries are impervious to bullets or able to leap a tall building in a single bound (although, I bet I could chuck one pretty far up—a few floors at least), but it does mean that these little guys deserve a spot in your diet. Give raisins a break and go goji.
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!