Goji Berry–New Health Food Wonder

In the ever-changing world of the health food business, new products come up all the time only to be forgotten in the next wave of health-food buzzwords that come along. Goji berries are only some of the latest health-food trends on the market, although it seems that they have a lot more going for them than any of the other health foods that have hit the scene in recent years.

Goji berries are found in China, Mongolia and Tibet, where they are grown primarily for their medicinal qualities. The rest of the world has been a bit slow to catch up on the wonders of these amazing berries, although they are making up for it in a big way. Today, even celebrities have gotten in on the act, with numerous Hollywood personalities eager to play in the many benefits of the Goji berry. Among the benefits attributed to these berries are their ability to maintain good overall health and a youthful appearance, and their cancer prevention qualities.

Aside from their medicinal qualities, Goji berries are also typically included in Asian dishes either as a flavoring ingredient or as a garnish. The berries themselves can be quite delicate while still attached to the plant, so they are rarely if ever picked by hand. Instead, the vines of the Goji plant are shaken gently allowing the berries to fall into a basket. After they are harvested in this manner, the Goji berries are left out in the sun to dry, after which they attain a chewy consistency. In addition to eating the berries, they can also be processed into juices. These juices are in fact quite popular in the countries where the berries are grown, and are often mixed with tea in order to form a sort of tonic.

You now have a wide range of Goji based products to choose from in the West. The most commonly available products are dried Goji berries and Goji berry juice, the latter of which is made by mixing the pulp of the berry with water or some other type of fruit juice. You can also gain the health benefits of Goji berries from teas, Goji berry extract, cereal, and even energy bars. Regardless of the form in which you choose to take your Goji berry, you will notice a distinctive taste and texture that few other fruits can compare with. This along with its reputed health benefits makes the Goji berry worth considering as part of a healthy diet.