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Goji berries have been treasured for generations for their ability to enhance vitality and promote longevity. But not all goji berries are created equal! In this edition of our "Your Questions Answered" Blog Series, we share how and why to choose this nutritious superberry responsibly.
Why do you source your goji berries from China?
We get this question a lot—and we hear you! Produce from China doesn’t always come with the best reputation, even when it carries an organic label. However, goji berries are one case where we make an (educated and well-researched) sourcing exception. This is because China is their native growing region and whenever possible, we choose to source our superfoods from their country of origin. Often this results in the best flavor and nutrition that a particular food can contain because the growing conditions are those that the food evolved in and adapted to.
Goji berries are native to the northwest regions of China, specifically the Mongolian Steppes and Tibetan Plateau, where the high-altitude growing conditions result in exceptionally flavored and antioxidant-rich berries. These berries, forming on vining shrubs and related to the tomato, thrive in the naturally arid climate and well-drained soils found in these regions. As an added bonus, the sometimes harsh environment means less pests that would otherwise require applications to control.
For these reasons, we’ve sourced our goji berries from Tibetan Plateau from the start, where our farmers have been growing certified organic goji berries since 1998. The berries are also certified kosher and halal, and their growers undergo regular audits to ensure that social standards, like fair wages and safe working conditions, are always met. Thanks to our longstanding partnerships with these suppliers, we are confident in the quality and purity of our goji berries.
How are your goji berries processed?
The organic goji berries that we source are processed with care from start to finish. Once the bright red berries reach peak ripeness, they’re hand-harvested and transported to a local processing facility. Here, they’re gently cleaned with an air separator to remove any organic debris, like leaf matter and loose stems. Lastly, they’re low temperature oven dehydrated until their moisture content is low enough that they can be safely shipped and stored without food safety concerns. We prefer this processing method to sun-drying, because it results in a more consistent end product without sacrificing any nutrition, and eliminates the concern of insect or environmental contamination during the drying process.
Goji berries are sometimes accused of being too dry, especially when compared to other dried fruits. This is primarily because of their lower sugar content and clean ingredients; it is the addition of sugars, oils, fungicides, and sulfites or other preservatives that allow most dried fruits to remain plump and chewy. If a softer dried berry is your jam, give them a few extra minutes in your smoothie bowl, oatmeal, yogurt, salad, or another dish of choice so they can plump up a bit; these berries naturally rehydrate quite well.
How do you ensure the quality of your goji berries?
We’re stringent when it comes to testing our superfoods for safety and quality, and goji berries are no exception. The berries that we source are all grown organically by growers regularly audited by a rigorous European certifying body. After harvest, the berries are tested at the processing facility for an extensive list of chemicals, including metals, and microbiological contaminants. Once they arrive at our facility in the US, we send them to third party, independent labs for additional testing to ensure their purity and nutritional. Only then are they packaged up and shipped to our loyal goji berry fans!
Do you have a superfood question for Kali? Send it to her at askus@navitasorganics.com!
See what other burning superfood questions customers are asking in our candid "Your Questions Answered" Blog Series here.
