Navitas Naturals Certified Organic Goji Berries, 16-Ounce Pouch   [Grocery 2006]

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Rave Reviews (4)*

• 1) An expensive but healthy food

  by Charles Burns on December 28 2006
    50+ helpful votes

  These berries are thought to be one of the one of the healthiest natural foods. There are many "stories" about the amazing benefits of these berries, many of which may be true, but a few verifiable facts about them (in dried form) follow:
  1) High protein (about 12%), and are a complete protein. This is good for anybody, but particularly noteworthy to vegans, who choose not to get their protein from meats.
  2) Decent fiber content (about 10%)
  3) 18 (!!) amino acids
  4) Like most sweet fruits, high in carbs and calories. 100 grams give you about 350-380 calories; roughly 3/4 from carbs and 1/4 from fat.
  5) 6 vitamins, 8 amino acids, 11+ minerals (more in trace amounts)
  6) Carotenoids, unsaturated fatty acids (this is a good thing), phytosterols (help lower cholesterol), and other healthy (or theoretically healthy but not particularly well researched) phytochemicals.
  
  Enough with the technical jargon. These berries are great in cereal, smoothies (once hydrated), and tea. For tea, try this:
  Put water, a small number of berries (6-15ish) and a teabag in your cup, microwave for about a minute per teacup (time varies), drop a small amount in your favorite tea along with the teabag and let the berries and tea steep for about 3 minutes.
  This adds a subtle character to green tea (plus an unusual, tasty snack to do with a few of the sips). The flavor seems to blend well with chai and jasmine too. This may work differently for those who use creamer.
  
  I recommend that you try a bag, keeping in mind that you may need to soak the berries in water/tea/whatever in order to make them soft, and see what you think. I have found they make a great addition to my usual cereal-only breakfast because they give me a much-needed protein boost.
  If you like them quite a lot, you may want to take the time to look for a supply in a nearby Asian foods store. I have heard they can be purchased at a lower cost in bulk.
  

• 2) The Ultimate Berry

  by E. Gomez on October 26 2006
    40+ helpful votes

  Having consumed Himalania Goji Berries for over one year, the Navitas Naturals Goji Berry is a great addition to the exotic food market. The Navitas Goji is harder and drier than the Himalania Goji, but the flavor is much sweeter and better tasting.
  
  I love the fact that they're raw, vegan, sun-dried, and free of chemicals and pesticides! Goji berries are believed to strengthen the immune system, increase energy and reduce fatigue, and reduce the threat of free radicals (due to HIGH levels of antioxidants). Gojis have highest ORAC score to date! The ORAC scale is a standardized test used to measure the total antioxidant potency of foods and nutritional supplements.
  
  Definitely, one of my favorite foods!

• 3) Tasty berries!

  by A. J. Krusz on February 15 2007
    10+ helpful votes

  These supposedly have some of the highest levels of antioxidants of any food, which is why I bought them. But I really like the taste too. It's not too far off from a cross between a tomato and a strawberry, but a very little bit bitter at times.
  
  Overall they taste great, though some kids might not like them due to the slight bitterness.
  
  Edit: A few of these berries have a bit of mold on them. I would reduce my ranking by 1 star if I could.

• 4) An Excellent Source of Nutrition

  by Miss Mermaid on September 01 2007
    10+ helpful votes

  I love Goji berries and often eat them after my weight work-outs. I also throw them in the following cereal (raw & vegan), they make a perfect harmony in this recipe as follows:
  
  Oatmeal Cereal Raw & Vegan - the Most Wholesome Cereal on Planet Earth: inspired to me by the Wonderful Magic Man, Peter Ragnar:
  
  1/4 to 1/2 cup whole Oat Groats these look like buff colored pieces of rice, you will need to sprout them in filtered water one to two nights beforehand. So they will be ready for you in the morning. I think two days of soaking is best.
  
  1/4 cup Goji Berries
  3/4 cup blueberries
  slices of banana and any other berry or fruit as you wish
  1 cup refrigerated filtered water (trust me you want it cold..tastes good)
  1/2 t vanilla extract
  Himalayan Salt or Sea Salt
  4 brazil nuts (soaking unnecessary because these don't have enzyme inhibitors)
  2 T hemp seeds (Nutiva brand is good)
  a bit of honey optional
  
  In good blender pour 1 cup water, salt to taste, vanilla extract, hemp, brazil buts and honey if you want it (I don't use it). Blend up really well until a smooth creamy milk forms - this is amazing milk folks!
  
  Now put all soaked oat groats, berries and whatnot in a cereal bowl. Pour over with the luscious milk you just made and eat slow, chew well because the stomach has no teeth :o) Add more a salt if needed. Don't forget to take your E 3 Live every morning - E 3 Live dot com.