Goji Berry, Wolf Berry - Lycium chinense Seeds - Exotic Edible Fruit Shrub

Lycium chinense Seeds

Goji Berry, Wolf Berry

Goji, goji berry or wolfberry is the fruit of Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense, two closely related species of boxthorn in the Nightshade family, Solanaceae. The family also includes the potato, tomato, eggplant, deadly nightshade, chili pepper, and tobacco. The two species are native to Asia. Wolfberries are usually sold in open boxes and small packages in dried form. As a food, dried wolfberries are traditionally cooked before consumption. Dried wolfberries are often added to rice congee and almond jelly, as well as used in Chinese tonic soups, in combination with chicken or pork, vegetables, and other herbs such as wild yam, Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis pilosula, and licorice root. The berries are also boiled as a herbal tea, often along with chrysanthemum flowers and/or red jujubes, or with tea, and packaged teas are also available. Various wines containing wolfberries are also produced, including some that are a blend of grape wine and wolfberries. Young wolfberry shoots and leaves are also harvested commercially as a leaf vegetable.