Where to Buy Goji

Over the years Goji Berries, as well as Goji Juice, have gained popularity. Until about 1995, goji berries were basically unheard of in American.

What Changed in 1995?

A small, nutritional supplement company, Freelife International, had been quietly researching the goji berry, specifically the variety Lycium Barbarum. Freelife's founder, Ray Faltinsky, had been interested in many different health supplements over the years. In fact, during college he did major papers on nutritious foods. After graduating from college in the early 80's, he used his education to start a company to research and develop supplements for people to use to attain good health. With Freelife researching the goji berry and finding adequate reason to bring goji juice to the market as a health supplement, goji berries became known globally.

Where to Buy Goji: Health Food Store vs. Grocery Store
Today you can buy goji berries or juice in health food, online or even in grocery stores. Although widely available, you must evaluate the quality and nutritional value before buying goji. Sometimes what you buy  at grocery stores isn't high quality and the nutritional value is questionable. We suggest you review your options online first before buying either goji berries or goji juice. If you choose to buy locally, we suggest you buy from a health food store. More than likely they have done their research and have chosen a good brand of goji juice.

Growing Conditions

Goji berries grow best in extreme climates. With scorching hot, humid summers and frigid, subzero winters goji berries produce their finest fruit. Like most plants, goji berries like rich, dark soil, yet is must also be sandy and well-drained. The best tasting, most nutritious goji berries are grown in the Himalayan Mountains region.

Harvesting The Red Diamond Fruit

In spring, cone-shaped violet or white flowers burst into bloom quickly followed by the goji berry itself, nicknamed the red diamond fruit for its brilliant red color. As the summer progresses, these red berries mature, grow bigger and suck the nutrients from the soil into the fruit. Come fall, these berries are carefully hand-harvested to avoid bruising as the goji berries are a soft, tender fruit.

Are the Goji Berries Good Enough?

After the berries are harvested, they must be processed quickly. In fact, if left more than 24 hours many of the nutrients leak out of the berry. Before being processed into goji extract, each individual berry is tested and evaluated to ensure it contains proper levels of nutrients, specifically polysaccharides and antioxidants.

Where to Buy Goji Berries
Although they can be bought online, it is probably more convenient to purchase your goji berries locally. Some grocery stores will carry them, but more often than not these are sold as a snack food, not a nutritional supplements. Although they could be beneficial to your health, more than likely they are marketed as an exotic food, not a nutritional supplement.

If you buy from a health food store, they are probably selling goji berries as a nutrient-rich food. Look up a health food store in your area and see if they have goji berries. If so, ask for the brand name and do your research online before purchasing.

Where to Buy Goji Juice
Goji Juice can also be bought at a health food store or grocery store, but the brands found there often aren't as beneficial to your health. Again, do your research online before deciding where to buy goji juice.

We suggest you consider your online options. Although local stores may be more convenient, online stores sometimes offer lower prices and sales. In the long run you'll save money and get the a great goji juice product.