Goji Berries: Nature’s Wonder fruit

In the increased public awareness about herbal healthcare products, there is a product which has contributed very much in building this repute. Most commonly known as Goji Berries, the wonderful product is also known as Wolfberry and scientifically known as Lycium barbarum. It has got two species of boxthorn in the family Solanaceae. Interestingly, the Solanaceae family also includes the potato, tomato, eggplant, and tobacco. Botanists inform that the botanical division named to the upper right, Magnoliophyta, identifies plants that flower and the class Magnoliopsida represents flowering plants (Dicotyledons) with two embryonic seed leaves called cotyledons appearing at germination.

The knowledge of the original habitat of Goji Berries is still hazy but there is evidence that Goji Berries belong to areas ranging from southeastern Europe to southwest Asia. Goji Berries are deciduous woody perennial plants grown and generally grow just 1-3 m high. While this height is a short as compared to its cousins grown in southern China, it’s taller than those grown in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. You must be surprised to know that in all there are 41 varieties of goji and that too in Tibet alone. While the plant’s height depends on climatic conditions, the berry is a bright red, ellipsoid berry 1-2 cm long, each containing 10-30 tiny yellow seeds that are squashed with a curved embryo.

Goji Berries are very well known in Asia as one of nature’s most nutrient-rich gifts to mankind. The American market is one of its largest consumers in the world. In fact the United States and other first-world countries along with the global functional food industry are rapidly growing recognition of Goji berries for their nutrient richness and antioxidant qualities.  Read more here…