What Do Goji Berries Taste Like? (And How To Use Them)

Dried goji berries are bright red little berries that are increasingly popular as a healthy snack or topping for smoothie bowls. But what do goji berries taste like?

Let's talk about the taste and texture of goji berries, as well as their health benefits and how we can use them in our recipes!

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or dietetic advice in any way.

What are Goji Berries?

Also known as wolfberries, goji berries are native to Asia and are part of the nightshade family. They are small and quite vibrant with their red-pink color.

How Can You Purchase Goji Berries?

Goji berries are most often purchased in their dried form in small packages and can be found in supermarkets and health food shops, often in the baking or world food aisles.

It's also possible to purchase goji berry juice or goji berry powder, as well as chocolate coated goji berries.

Storage

It's best to keep goji berries in a sealed container such as a tupperware or mason jar in a cool dark place. Make sure to keep a note of the expiration date on your packet!

What Do Goji Berries Taste Like?

In terms of appearance, goji berries are small oval dried fruits with wrinkled skin. Much like other dried fruits, they are chewy in texture.

Goji berries are a mix of sweet and sour, with a taste that is often described as being like a cranberry.

Health Benefits of Goji Berries

Goji berries have a reputation for being a 'superfood' as they are high in nutrients. As Healthline describes in their overview of the health benefits of goji berries, they are high in fiber, iron, and vitamins A and C. Goji berries have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

It is important to note that it is possible to have a goji berry allergy and, as Healthline notes, 'you should exercise caution if you’re pregnant, as they contain betaine, a compound that may harm fetal health'. Persons with an allergy to other berries, or who taking medications such as blood thinners, blood pressure medications and diabetes medications are advised to speak to their doctor before consumption (Medical News Today).

For those looking for low histamine recipes, you may be interested to note that goji berries score 0 on the SIGHI list for histamine. However, it is not clear whether this refers to fresh or dried goji berries. Do check out my post on low histamine diet berries for more tasty ideas!

How Can We Use Goji Berries?

There are many ways to consume or cook with goji berries:

Top Smoothie Bowls

One of the most popular ways to use dried goji berries is to sprinkle them over smoothie bowls, overnight oats or chia pudding recipes. They add a healthy chewy, sweet taste and texture.

Add to Cereals or Oatmeal

Goji berries can be an additional ingredient in cereals or stirred into oatmeal for a healthy addition to your breakfast.

Make Goji Berry Tea

It's very easy to make goji berry tea with just the dried berries and hot water to enjoy as a refreshing caffeine free drink.

Add to Baked Goods

Goji berries can be used in a similar way to other dried fruits such as raisins or dried cranberries in bars, muffins and cookies.

Make a Goji Berry Smoothie

Blend up a goji berry smoothie! Soak the berries to soften them, then blend with other fruits and a liquid for a healthy smoothie.

Add to Trail Mix

Add a handful of dried goji berries to a bowl with nuts, seeds and perhaps other dried fruits to make a healthy trail mix!

Frequently Asked Questions

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