Native to somewhere around Turkey and Eastern Europe wolfberries are now grown worldwide and particularly in China, the main commercial supplier. The berry tastes similar to dried cranberries but is more tart and tastes somewhat of tomato, not surprising since tomatoes are also nightshades.
"Tibetan / Himalayan Goji" products are promoted by "health food" outlets - even though Goji isn't harvested in that region, and any "organic" claims are also false - but when has the health food industry ever checked in with reality? Berries from the same Chinese sources can be purchased at a much lower price at Asian markets.
In Chinese traditional medicine wolfberry is said to enhance the
immune system and improve eyesight, sperm production, liver function and
circulation. Medical studies in China indicate it helps prevent macular
degeneration and glaucoma as well as being strong in anticancer antioxidants,
but confirming studies have not been done in the West.
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In the West wolfberries are generally eaten as a snack straight from the bag, or as a component of various "health food" concotions. In China they are almost always cooked, often in tonic soups and teas or as a flavoring in congee. In China they are also used as a flavoring in some wines and in the U.S. a Colorado micro-brewery uses them to flavor beer.Buy: Well stocked Asian markets have them dried in plastic bags, usually labeled "Fructus Lycii". Look for them in the same area as medicinal herbs and barks. I avoid those dyed bright red - who knows what they use for dye in China. They can also be purchased in some health food stores but at a much higher price. Subst: dried cranberries or sun dried tomatoes or a mix of the two. |
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