Korean Goji Berries | Gugija · Wolfberry | 4.2 oz

Korean goji berries (gugija, 구기자) are a 4.2 oz (120 g) pouch of whole dried goji berries, a Product of Korea, used in Korean herbal teas, samgyetang, and everyday cooking.

What Are Korean Goji Berries?

Gugija is the Korean name for the dried red fruit of the boxthorn plant, sold in English as goji berry or wolfberry. The Korean Pharmacopoeia defines gugija as the fruit of Lycium chinense or Lycium barbarum. The berries are deep red and soft, with a gentle sweet-tart flavor, and the label lists a single ingredient: Korean goji berry.

In Korean kitchens, gugija has been an everyday ingredient for generations: a handful in simmering samgyetang, a spoonful in a warm cup, a few berries stirred into rice. Kosbee brings that same pantry staple to North America in a resealable pouch.

Where Do These Goji Berries Come From?

The label reads Product of Korea (한국산). Kosbee distributes the berries under its own label from Ridgefield, New Jersey, and keeps them in stock at its New Jersey warehouse, so orders ship domestically within one business day.

Key Facts

Origin

Product of Korea (한국산 on the label)

Ingredients

Korean goji berry (single ingredient)

Form

Whole dried berries, not sliced, powdered, or sugar-coated

Net weight

4.2 oz (120 g) in a resealable zip pouch

Serving size (as printed on pack)

3 tablespoons (20 g), 6 servings per pouch

Storage

Reseal and keep cool and dry; refrigerate for longer storage

How to Use Korean Goji Berries

How do you make goji berry tea (gugija-cha)?

Rinse 1 tablespoon (about 7 g) of berries and steep in 300 ml (10 oz) of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes until the water turns amber. For a pot, simmer 20 g in 2 liters of water for 15 minutes.

How do you cook with dried goji berries?

For samgyetang, add 1 to 2 tablespoons in the last 20 minutes of simmering so the berries stay plump. Add a handful to rice before cooking, or simmer them with dried jujube for a sweeter herbal tea. Uncooked, scatter 1 tablespoon over oatmeal, yogurt, or a green salad.

Before You Use Them

Goji berries belong to the nightshade family (Solanaceae), so skip them if nightshades do not agree with you.

If you are pregnant or nursing, take any medication, or are under medical care, consult your healthcare provider before use. Enjoy in moderation.

Korean Gugija vs Ningxia Goji

Lycium chinense vs Lycium barbarum: what's the difference?

Lycium barbarum is the large, very sweet goji grown mainly in Ningxia and Xinjiang, China, and sold across North America. Lycium chinense is the boxthorn traditionally grown in Korea. Korea's pharmacopoeia accepts both as gugija.

Common Questions About Korean Goji Berries

Are Kosbee goji berries really from Korea?

Yes. The label reads Product of Korea (한국산) and lists a single ingredient, Korean goji berry. Kosbee packs the whole dried berries in a 4.2 oz (120 g) resealable pouch and ships them from its New Jersey warehouse, so you get Korean gugija (구기자) with a clear origin and nothing else in the bag.

How do you use and store dried goji berries?

Rinse 1 tablespoon (about 7 g) and steep it in 300 ml (10 oz) of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes; no soaking is needed, and the softened berries can be eaten from the cup. Add them to samgyetang, rice, or oatmeal. Reseal the pouch and keep it cool and dry, or refrigerate it for longer keeping.

How are Korean gugija different from Ningxia goji berries?

Goji comes from two closely related boxthorn species. The Korean Pharmacopoeia defines gugija as the fruit of Lycium chinense or Lycium barbarum, while most goji sold in North America is L. barbarum grown in Ningxia and Xinjiang, China, and selected for large, very sweet fruit. Korean gugija is used more as a pantry and tea ingredient than as a snack.

Is wolfberry the same thing as goji berry?

Yes. Wolfberry is the older English name for the fruit of the Lycium genus, and goji came into English later from the Chinese name gouqi. In Korea the same fruit is called gugija (구기자). All three names point to one berry, so a recipe that calls for any of them can use these Korean goji berries.

How fast do Kosbee goji berries ship?

Kosbee stocks these berries in its own New Jersey warehouse and ships within 1 business day, so orders inside the US usually arrive within a few days. Orders of $60 or more ship free within the US. Keep the unopened pouch in a cool, dry pantry until you are ready to use it.

Bring a Korean Pantry Staple Home

Explore more in Traditional Korean Herbs. Gugija simmers naturally with whole dried jujube into a sweet herbal tea, and it fits right into our Korean samgyetang herb pack. Ships from New Jersey within 1 business day; orders of $60 or more ship free.

Guide: Korean herb names in English, a 45-herb glossary

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.