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themselves labelled as a superfood and rocketed into stores all
over the world at a fairly high price. Countries such as Australia
and America are as familiar with goji berries as the ancient
Chinese these days, with many a trendy wellbeing cafe serving
breakfasts and salads adorned with chewy red berries.
It is easy to roll the eyes at the explosion in popularity for
a tiny red fruit with no real scientific evidence to support the
health claims, and yet the goji berry is still worthy of consider-
ation. It is unique in the fruit world and nutritionally dense, so
it is not a flight of fancy to see that consuming these berries can
do the eater more good than a pack of sweets or a sticky cake.
Take advantage of the low cost and take a chance on the goji
berry; they are delicious and sweet and are an enjoyable way
to get some nutrition into your diet.
When did these red berries turn fromtraditional herbal medicine to superfood?
Health
Goji Berries: Traditional Super Food
W o r d s :
S a r a h R e e s
Humble berry
Like so many of the internationally-acclaimed ‘superfoods’ that
have suddenly become the latest must-have among health and
wellbeing junkies, the humble goji berry has been on the radar
of health seekers in Asia for thousands of years.
The goji berry – or wolf berry – is native to Asia but grown
most densely in China, where the berries enjoy their own
festival each year, coinciding with harvest time. As a member
of the nightshade family, the goji berry may be a fruit but has
familial siblings including eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes and
chilli peppers.
While scientific evidence for the health-giving properties is
shaky at best, goji berries have long been a part of traditional
Chinese medicine. These berries are prized for all manner of
perceived benefits: improving eyesight, hair and skin; protecting
the liver; strengthening legs; boosting the immune system;
promoting weight loss and improving fertility.
Recognise me?
Anyone eating their way around Asia will be familiar with
these little red berries, particularly in Chinese cooking when
the dried berries are added to congee, soups or almond jelly,
or even boiled and drunk as tea. Chinese medicine stores sell
the berries by the kilo, and while they are often cooked before
consumption, they are also safe to eat immediately, albeit a
little chewy.
International fame
In recent years, these generations-old berries have become one
of the health food aficionados wonder ingredient. They got
Goji berries:
•
The only fruit that contain all the essential
amino acids.
•
Have the highest concentration of protein of
any fruit.
•
Contain 21 traceminerals.
•
Have 15 timesmore iron than fellowsuperfood
spinach.
•
High in fibre.
•
Natural anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and
anti-fungal.
•
High in antioxidants, which is linked to many
health benefits.