Goji Berry

A new acquisition for the fruit garden: sweet and sour, soft berries on strong, frost-resistant plants. From the Chinese tradition (which is still very much alive!) a frequently used plant: the berries and roots promise many health-promoting and health-maintaining effects. The plant grows with long branches, which need support (just like blackberries) and also have long thorns. Place them in a sunny or semi-shaded spot in nutritious and not too wet soil; they grow easily and are very frost-resistant. Sources mention that the fruits are very good for the eyes due to their high carotene content. Plants are self-pollinating, so 1 plant is sufficient for fruit set. Finally, some applications in (Chinese) cuisine: In rice porridge, in soups, with chicken, in a wok, for a healthy herbal tea, wine or beer is made from them, and young shoots are cooked like spinach. Furthermore, juice is directly pressed from them for a health-promoting juice drink. However, do not make it a daily drink, as excess can be harmful.

Names:
Latin: Lycium chinensis
Dutch: Goji Bes
Also known as: Chinese bessen
English: Goji Berry, Chinese Wolfberry, Barbary Matrimony Vine, Chinese Boxthorn, Tibetan Goji, Himalayan Goji, Duke of Argyll’s Tea, Gou Qi Zi.