What Is a Wolfberry?

Wolfberries are starting to become known in the natural health world. These little berries are also called the western snowberry or goji berries. Goji berries are receiving a lot of attention because they offer many health benefits. They contain high levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 fats are especially important for good health because they help to reduce inflammation. The name Goji berry is more often marketed than wolfberry. You can find these berries in just about any health food store or on-line.

What do they look like?

• Wolfberries look like just about any other exotic plant or flower. The actual plant family is called the Lycium barbarum plant. The leaves form at the shoot and flowers bud up from the bush. The berries are contained within lobes on the stems that shoot out from the side or right up to the neck of the flower. Purple flowers spring forth from June through September and berries arrive from August to October depending on the climate. When the berries are ready, they are light red and resemble tear drops.

What do they taste like?

• Goji berries, or wolfberries, have a distinct taste. They are not super sweet like most berries, but they do have a light sweet and sour taste. Most people in China also like to make Goji berry juice which can have a strong tart flavor. These berries tend to taste the best dried or in tea form and they make a healthy yet yummy snack.

Super Food

• The reason why wolfberries have become so popular is because they are known as a super food. This plant has earned this title because the berries are loaded with high concentrations of nutrients. The berries contain high levels of vitamin C, A, E and other essential vitamins. The berries also are chock full of calcium, potassium, iron, zinc and selenium.

Where are they Found?

• Wolfberries only grow in certain areas of the world. They are mainly found in specific regions of China such as Gansu, Shaanxi and Hebei. The berries must be carefully harvested because they are very delicate when ripe. The wolfberries are then dried in the sun and shipped across the world.

Disadvantages

• It is actually very difficult to find wolfberries that haven't been dried because they spoil rather quickly. The only way you would ever be able to eat a wolfberry before fermentation is to pick them directly off the plant. Another disadvantage is that these berries can be quite expensive. A small bag of berries costs about $8 on average.