For the kaiseki meal demonstration the other day I was looking for some red color ingredient to use as a garnish for my appetizer. At the food store I spotted dried red berry in a plastic bag. It said Himalayan Goji Berrries on the label, but to me it was KUKO NO MI, which my mother used from time to time and mentioned us that this tiny red berry improves our eye sight and are good for our physical and mental well-being.
In Japan Kuko no mi (Goji Berry) has been used since ancient times and known to improve immune system, strengthen liver function, promote mental stability, inhibit fat deposition and to have anti-aging property. Kuko is a plant belongs to Solanaceae family and in Japan it grows across the country. Young stem and leaves in early spring are all edible. We make tempura, ohitashi (simmered and pickled in flavored dashi), goma-ae (cooked and dressed in sesame dressing) or cook them with rice. The red berries are dried and consumed as medicinal food.
The following information is found on the back side label of the Goji Berry package which I bought. “Used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries. Goji Berry fruit contains polysaccharides, which have been demonstrated to be a healing catalyst, strongly fortifying the immune system while stimulating the secretion of natural anti-aging HGH. Goji Berries are the richest known source of beta-carotene of all known foods or plants on earth. A powerful antioxidant. Goji Berries are among the most reversed sexual tonic herbs in Asian herbalism.”
There has been a Goji Berry craze in America and it is called a super food. To me there is no super food. Every food is super. We just need to consume varieties in order to get the most out of them. Bundled up varieties of ingredients provides us balanced and much more super nutrients to our body than a single super food. Some Japanese sites warns the over consumption of Goji Berry at one time. Everything should be in moderation.
I will add the left-over Goji Berry – two or three pieces at a time – to my breakfast oatmeal cereal, soup or salad.