Fruit

Lycium barbarum

S tier

Lycium barbarum is the primary goji (wolfberry) species of commerce—deciduous shrubs bearing small oblong berries that ripen orange-red, tasting sweet-herbal and mildly tomato-tea like when fresh, chewier and raisin-adjacent when dried. Seeds are tiny; skins thin. Ningxia and other northern Chinese regions dominate traditional quality narratives. Dry for tea, trail mixes, and soups; eat fresh where grown. Wash dried berries; quality varies from plump scarlet to brown overdried lots. Fresh berries bruise and weep—rare in export. Not a candy fruit—herbal savour remains. Avoid confusing ornamental Lycium without food-grade intent.