Goji Berry-Ginger Tea

If you’re not familiar with goji berries, you really need to get to know them! These delicious little fruit nuggets are packed with nutrients. They go well in baked goods, granola, trail mixes, sauces, and snacks. They’re also a fantastic addition to drinks like teas and smoothies. Even your little pups can get in on the action with grain-free goji berry dog treats!

What Are Goji Berries?

Also known as wolfberries, goji berries are species of boxthorns, a shrub in the nightshade family. Nightshades also include potatoes, chili peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant. If you have nightshade sensitivities you should avoid goji berries.

Most goji berries are cultivated in north-central China, although farmers in the U.S. and Canada grow them as well.

Why Are Goji Berries Healthy?

There are real nutritional benefits to goji berry tea or goji berries in any form, really. This is because they’re chock-full of antioxidants. They’re pretty tasty and versatile too. Gojis are considered one of the best food sources of the zeaxanthin, one of the two carotenoids in the retina. Studies suggest that zeaxanthin may help reduce the risk of macular degeneration. In plain speak, including goji berries in your diet may protect your vision as you age. And it’s never too early to start taking care of your eyes, is it?

But…Ginger-Goji Berry Tea?

Yes! Traditionally, Chinese, Mongolian, and Tibetan cultures have brewed tea with these berries. The recipe for this is so simple, it’s hardly a recipe! The tea is delicious and may remind you of herbal or flower teas. You can add your favorite natural sweetener to taste, but it’s just as lovely without! The berries will soften and plump up as they steep. You can eat them as you sip or save them to add to your afternoon smoothie.

Note: In traditional Chinese medicine, goji berries are used to treat conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. However, in vitro studies have shown a possible interference with warfarin and other pharmaceutical drugs for diabetes and hypertension. If you take these medications, be sure to consult with your doctor before you add goji berries to your diet.

Recipe: Ginger-Goji Berry Tea

The antioxidants of goji berries and digestion benefits of ginger make this tea an amazing, traditional way to use these little superfoods!

Servings: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon Wildly Organic Dried Goji Berries
• 1 cup of boiling water
• ½ inch piece of peeled and sliced fresh ginger root

Instructions:

Let us know how your tea turned out! Check out more goji berry recipes on our blog.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.