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“gouqi.” Before the recent attention, the goji berry was known as the wolfberry. Goji berries are orangey-red, and one-half to one inch long.
    Because of its long history of cultivation in Asia, traditional medicine has assigned many healing properties to the goji berry—it has been used to improve eyesight, circulation, sexual function, and fertility, and to promote long life. Most of these claims have not yet been tested scientifically, let alone proven. But what we do know about goji berries is that they are a good source of antioxidants and zeaxan-thin, a carotenoid compound that is found, like lutein, in the retina of the eye, and which may have a role in preventing age-related macular degeneration.
    NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION One-third cup of goji berries provides 150 calories, 32 g carbohydrate, 5 g protein, 0 g fat, 1 g dietary fiber, 800 IU vitamin A, 6 mg vitamin C, 190 mg sodium, and 0.8 mg iron.
    GOJI BERRIES
    It appears that goji berries may interact with some medications, including warfarin (a blood thinner) and some diabetes and blood pressure medicines. Goji berries may also cause problems for people with some types of pollen allergies.
Bringing It Home
    In the United States, goji berries are usually available dried and are increasingly available in products such as trail mix. The dried berries look like red raisins. Organic dried berries are available, and those are the best choice.
    Goji extracts, powders, and juices are also popular, but they are often over-priced. Read the labels carefully on these, because some “goji berry” drinks contain only a small amount of goji juice mixed with other juices, and thus they may not justify the high price that is sometimes charged.
    Both the berries and the leaves can be brewed into a tea. Most of the teas available in the United States mix goji berries with green tea and other herbs, so the goji acts more as a flavoring element. For the maximum goji effect, choose a tea that lists goji first among its ingredients.
    Dried goji berries have a sweet and tart taste. Mix some into your morning oatmeal with cinnamon and a squirt of agave nectar, and add a tablespoon of shelled hemp seeds or low-fat plain yogurt for a balanced breakfast. Try a goji berry trail mix with a quarter cup of soy nuts or almonds for a snack that balances carbohydrate with protein. Fill a snack-size plastic zipper bag with a ¼-cup serving for a balanced on-the-go snack.
    Livit Recipes
Goji Berry Trail Mix
    1 cup dried goji berries
    Â½ cup raw chocolate nibs
    1 cup raw pecans
    1 cup raw walnuts
    1 cup peanuts
    â€¢ Combine the berries, chocolate nibs, pecans, walnuts, and peanuts. Stir them together so that the ingredients are well distributed.
    â€¢ Store the mixture in an air-tight glass container. If you choose a container that can hold 5 to 5½ cups, you can mix your ingredients right in the jar by closing the lid and shaking!
    â€¢ NOTE The peanuts provide a legume, balancing the other nuts for a more complete protein.
    YIELD 18 servings (¼ cup each), or about 4½ cups
    NUTRITION ANALYSIS PER SERVING 165.5 calories, 4.2 g carbohydrate, 4.4 g protein, 13.4 g fat, 2 g dietary fiber
Goji Berry Energy Bar
    The basis for this energy bar is the Goji Berry Trail Mix ingredients
.
    1 cup raw pecans
    1 cup raw walnuts
    1 cup peanuts
    1 cup dried goji berries
    Â½ cup raw chocolate nibs
    2 tablespoons agave nectar OR honey
    Extra-virgin olive oil
    â€¢ Crush the pecans, walnuts, and peanuts by hand or in a food processor. Transfer to a large bowl. Add goji berries and chocolate nibs and mix well. Add agave nectar and stir well with a wooden spoon.
    â€¢ Lightly oil a shallow baking pan or tray with olive oil. Using a rubber spatula, press the mixture into the pan. Refrigerate for one hour to set, then cut into squares.
    YIELD 18 squares
    NUTRITION ANALYSIS PER SERVING 165.5 calories, 4.2 g carbohydrate, 4.4 g protein, 13.4 g fat, 2 g dietary fiber
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