Organic Dried Goji Berries

History

The western term ‘Goji’ has only been in use since the 21st century and comes from the simplified pronunciation of the Chinese ‘gou-qi-zi’ which means Lycium berries; ‘zi’ means ‘seed’, or more specifically, 'berry'.  

The 'gou–qi–zi' fruit was mentioned for the first time in 500 CE in the work of the scholar Tao Hong–jing, “Ming Yi Bei Lu”. The botanical name Lycium barbarum was given by the famous Swedish scholar, Linnaeus, in 1753.

This name likely derives either from the ancient southern region of Anatolia, Lycia, or from the Latin ‘lychnus’, which means ‘light’ or ‘lamp’, presumably due to the shape and colour of the fruit. The genus Lycium includes more than 100 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs, native to the tropical areas or temperate Eastern and South–East Asia, Asia Minor, Europe, South Africa, and North America. Fifteen years later, in 1768, Phillip Miller gave it its name, describing the Lycium glands for the first time in his book “Dictionary of Gardening, Botany, and Agriculture”. These two species are apparently indistinguishable from each other, both at a morphological and histological level.

The Lycium barbarum, as evidenced by the British Royal Horticultural Society, is known in several countries under different names, which vary depending on the language and vernacular of their places of cultivation. The English name most commonly used for the Goji berry is 'wolfberry'; the reason is not certain, but probably because the term ‘Lycium’ resembles ‘lycos’, which in Greek means ‘wolf’. Other common names in English are ‘matrimony wine’ and ‘the Duke of Argyl's Tea Tree’ because the plant was first introduced to Britain in the eighteenth century by Archibald Campbell, botanist and third Duke of Argyll. We also have ‘Kuko’ (Japan), ‘Kei tse’ (Cantonese), ‘gugija’ (Korean), ‘cu khoi’ (Vietnam), ‘ga gèe’ (Thai), ‘gouqi’ (China) and ‘dretsherma’ (Tibet). In most countries, however, although many parts of the plant are used and processed, the fruit is the best-known organ and therefore separately named 'Lycium', 'lycii fruit', 'gou qi zi', and 'Goji'.

In the ancient world, both Pliny and Dioscorides described the medicinal use of Lycium, and the plant was also mentioned by other scholars, among them Paracelsus and Galen. The Lycium of the ancients was imported from India and was held in great esteem, so much so that the remains of vessels specifically designed for the conservation of this berry have been found; it is likely, however, that the Lycium to which they refer is not the same species as the one we mean when speaking of it today. 

Source: 

Newspaper, 2/2014 

Properties

According to our analyses, 100 g organic Goji berries contain:

• Vitamin K (13 µg – 17% of NRV)
• Riboflavin (0.29 mg – 21% of NRV)
• Magnesium (86.0 mg – 23% of NRV)
• Phosphorus (194 mg – 28% of NRV)
• Vitamin E (4.3 mg – 36% of NRV)
• Manganese (0.93 mg – 47% of NRV)
• Iron (7.6 mg – 54% of NRV)
• Copper (0.56 mg – 56% of NRV)
• Potassium (1510 mg – 76% of NRV)
• Protein (11 g)
• Fibre (14 g)

Dose recommendations

Each package of 500 g of organic dried Goji berries contains about 17 portions of 30 g that provide:

• 23% of the Nutrient Reference Value of Potassium.
• 17% of the Nutrient Reference Value of Copper;
• 16% of the Nutrient Reference Value of Iron.

Individual needs will vary according to age, gender, weight and physical activity. A varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are the basis of your well-being.

Affordable price

Affordable price means to us offering our clients organic dried Goji berries with no added sugar – containing only natural sugar - that everybody can enjoy. 
We want, on the one hand, to place the proper value on raw materials in order to obtain a quality product by paying our farmers a fair price; on the other hand, we want to fulfil your needs when it comes to pricing. 

We establish fair long-term relationships with our producers to avoid race-to-the-bottom pricing and that are based on trust as part of our efforts to offer you the finest and most natural product. 

Not only that: by choosing large packs of organic dried Goji berries you are also contributing to the reduction in the use of plastic. 

How much does 1 kg of organic dried goji berries cost?

The price per kg for organic dried goji berries depends on the goji berries' quality, variety and origin. On Nuturally, we have selected the best organic dried goji berries with respect for our supply chain, farmers, and raw materials.

Storage

You can store organic dried Goji berries in cool, dry places away from heat and moisture. Here are 4 useful tips: 

• The best way to store organic dried Goji berries is in a refrigerated environment. Nuturally organic dried Goji berries can also be stored at room temperature during the winter season due to low temperatures. During summer, however, it is advisable to store the product in the refrigerator or in the coolest possible environment, as increased temperatures could encourage decay. 
• The ideal container for the storage of organic dried Goji berries is glass. Indeed, because of its composition it is impervious to chemical agents and gases, and, as it has excellent insulation properties, it holds the initial temperature for longer than other materials. It is even better if the glass is coloured: using coloured glass blocks the entry of certain wavelengths of light (including ultraviolet), and thus certain nutritional and organoleptic characteristics remain unaltered.  
• The type of closure of the container is also important as an airtight cap ensures that the food is protected from excessive contact with oxygen, that is fundamental for aerobic bacteria. 
• The best kind of storage environment is one which is well ventilated because ventilating the premises keeps internal humidity under control, which otherwise could escape from windows, thereby guaranteeing the right balance to lessen the onset of mould.