Goji Berries

Goji Berries

This little guy is our first Goji Berry bush. The Goji berry, or Wolfberry, as it is sometimes referred to, is a delicious little berry similar to a cranberry or blueberry in flavor. They have been cultivated in China for centuries, and and are prized for their uses in ancient Chinese medicinal practices. These claims have not been substantiated by modern medicine, but what we do know is that the berries are very high in antioxidants. In clinical trials Wolfberry juice significantly reduced levels of blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides in as little as 10 days.

In the US we normally see them in their dried form, but they can be eaten dried, raw, or traditionally they are cooked into soups or teas. Although not native to North America, we selected them for their rich antioxidants and their ability to grow just about anywhere (zones 2-10, although you may want to winter them in a greenhouse in the colder zones). They are a species of boxthorn and are related to potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants and other members of the nightshade family. For this reason Goji berries may not be for everyone since some people are sensitive to nightshades. Also, those on medications such as warfarin or other blood thinners should consult their physician before consuming Goji berries as they may amplify the blood thinning effects, possibly attributable to the antioxidants. I say stop taking the drugs and eat the berries instead, but I'm not a doctor.

The plant naturally grows as long rambling canes, hanging fairly low to, or running along the ground. In cultivation the plants are often staked or trellised. I've also heard that if you successfully intertwine four or five of the strongest canes on a young plant you can train them into a shrub, almost resembling a dwarf tree. I plan on training them up this fan trellis for now with the possibility of weaving the canes in the future.

Update 4/20/2015: Checked on our Goji berry bush this weekend and something thinks that the leaves are delicious! Not sure if it'll survive due to the severe leaf loss, but it may be early enough in the Spring to recover. Guess we'll just have to wait and see...