Goji Berry, also known as wolfberry, belongs to a genealogy that includes tomato, eggplant, chili pepper, and tobacco. The majority of commercially produced Goji Berries come from China.

Goji berries have been used for 600 years by herbalists in China and Tibet to protect the liver, improve eyesight, improve sexual function, sustain fertility, strengthen the legs, boost immunity, boost circulation and restore youth. It is the beta-carotene and zeaxanthin that are of particular benefit to the eyesight as both compounds prevent macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in people of any age.

Goji berries contain selenium, a trace mineral that acts an antioxidant, which can neutralize free radicals that damage cells and cause cancer. Goji berries are also rich in other nutrients and phytochemicals like amino acids, carotenoids like beta-carotene and zeaxanthin, polysaccharides, antioxidants, calcium, potassium, iron, zinx, and riboflavin. Like many fruits that excellent for health Goji Berries also contain a high level of protein.

Whole Goji berries can be found at Chinese herbal shops and health food stores. The dried berries can be found in most grocery stores nowadays. No special preparation is needed to eat either the dried  or the raw form of the berry.  The reason they are sold mostly dried is because the raw berry is very delicate and sometimes does not survive shipping.

It is the polysaccharides in Goji Berries that provide an amazing amount of benefits including the inhibition of tumor growth and an allaying of the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Goji berries can also prevent osteoporosis and tooth decay by increasing calcium absorption.

Goji berries can be used in your cooking the same way you would use dried raisins. They are excellent in granola, chocolate-dipped or steamed in oatmeal. They also add a nice touch to a raisin or apple pie.

The raw berries may be sold on branches or with stems to preserve their freshness in which case it is suggested you separate the fruit from the stem before consuming. You can just cut these up and serve them in any fruit salad. Pear them with very sweet fruits as they are quite sour and make the mouth pucker.

Both the raw and the dried fruit do well in a curry. They add an astringent quality to the dish if they are fried up raw, very much like fried green tomatoes. The dried fruit tends to make a curry dish just a little bit sweeter.