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Wonder Food Goji Berries and A Smoothie Recipe

1 July 2011 12 Comments

Goji berries

I am on a Goji Spree, yes this wonder berry is omnipresent in all my meals. Goji on my breakfast table with oatmeal porridge, in lunch along with yogurt Kadhi and in dinner too with my pulav recipe! Goji berries which were evading me till date are now proudly occupying the most coveted place in my basket during my monthly trip to the health store.

Cultivated in the Himalayan and remote regions of China, Tibet Goji or wolfberry are vibrant red in color and are slightly sweet in taste. And apart from its outstanding medicinal values these berries are the most nutrient foods available to the mankind.

Goji Berry

During a monthly trip to my health store…

These berries taste like a cross between dates and figs to me. The dried version is too hard to eat, but softens within no time when soaked in water or milk. Though a little bit expensive these are worth every paisa due to the numerous health benefits attached to it. I remember browsing a picture from net of the fresh Goji berries;

goji berry

Pic courtesy  www.powerhealths.com

Healthy Benefits of Goji Berries

  • Rich in anti oxidants such as beta carotene and zeaxanthin these berries are loaded with numerous health benefits.
  • The anti oxidants keep a check on cancer cells, reduce blood sugar and lower cholesterol levels.
  • It protects eye sight and improves blood circulation.
  • Helps strengthen the muscles and boost immune system.
  • The berries contain many important amino acids including all the eight essentials which are the building blocks of protein.
  • Goji is a good source of Vitamin C and iron.
  • It improves memory and helps reduce body fat.
  • The monosaturated fats present in Goji is similar to that in Olives and provides the same health benefits.

Prudent uses of Goji Berries

  1. The best way to include Goji in diet is to eat them raw.
  2. Brew them in your tea and enjoy your cuppa.
  3. Make Smoothies with Goji mixed with various fruits and milk or yogurt.
  4. Bake goodies such as Goji cakes, muffins, Scones and cookies.
  5. I have used Goji in my Pilaf (pulav) too. And they are a great substitute for raisins in the rice.

Goji Berry & Mango Smoothie

Goji berry & mango smoothie

Ingredients;

(makes 2 servings)

  • 2 tbsp. Goji berries
  • 1/2 cup chopped mango
  • 1/2 cup Milk
  • 1/2 cup curd/yogurt
  • Honey to sweeten

Method; Wash the Goji berries thoroughly in water and soak them in 1 tbsp. milk for 10 minutes. Peel and chop one small mango into cubes. Grind together the soaked Goji and mango pieces with a little milk.  Add rest of the ingredients and blend till well mixed.

Goji berry & mango smoothie

Serve the healthy Goji & Mango smoothie in a glass topped with crushed ice. Try these delightful egg less bakes from Goji here;

Whole wheat & Cornmeal Goji Scones

Notes;

  1. Use sugar if you wish in place of Honey.
  2. You can replace the curd with milk and vice versa.
  3. Banana and any other seasonal fruits can be added along with the Goji berries for a healthy breakfast treat.

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12 Comments »

  • thepickyeater | a spoonful of yumm said:

    you always come up with something different ! i love that :)this smoothie looks delicious 🙂

  • Priya (Yallapantula) Mitharwal said:

    wow, that is a new berry for me. Never saw or heard about it. I bet they were yummy !!!

  • Nithya said:

    wow.. I never knew about this berry. Very informative and would surely look out for this berry next time I visit a store. By the way where can I get them here?

  • sanjeeta kk said:

    @Nithya, Got it from Brown Tree..you can see the brand label in the picture also.

  • sayantani said:

    thats very informative. never heard of this but seems really good for us. not sure where to get these but defilitely worth looking for.

  • Sra said:

    When the title said smoothie, I was looking for the other one, you know, the looker! What would you call that, not a smoothie I suppose?

  • Sharmilee said:

    Yummy combination smoothie…Apt for this summer

  • Rama Ananth said:

    What other names does it have to look for it in Bangalore. We don’t have any speciality health stores here and the ones that are supposed to keep such food don’t seem to know about it. I hope you will get back to me.

  • sanjeeta kk said:

    @Rama, Goji berries are not indigenous to India and don’t have any Indian name (to my knowledge). You can check it in any healthy store in Bangalore.

  • Maya said:

    Hi !
    Never heard about this Goji Berry . Thanx for the Info . Love your blog .

  • sanjeeta kk said:

    @Maya, Goji berries are now available in India at many health stores. Use these super food in your daily dies if you get them. Thanks for dropping by and liking Lite Bite. Warm hugs.

  • Shweta said:

    The mango & goji berry smoothie looks unreal! So rich and yummy! I’m glad you planned to tell us about the goodness of these goji berries. I read about it elsewhere but wasn’t too sure. But now how I’d love to try this recipe to a particular jar meal i saw with goji berries, have you tried it too?

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