Gluten Free Superfood: Navitas Naturals Goji Berries

PRODUCT NAME:                       Goji Berries

COMPANY NAME:                       Navitas Naturals

COST:                                         $5.49

SIZE:                                           4 oz

COST PER OZ:                            $1.37

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           N/A

ORGANIC:                                   YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           USDA Organic

VEGAN:                                       YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            N/A

SHELF LIFE:                                1 year +

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.

REVIEW:

Taste:

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: health enthusiasts just LOVE to push the Goji berry. As mentioned in other reviews I have written, it is a nutritional powerhouse. This tiny little guy is known as a “superfood” because of its extreme nutrient density. In addition to the low calorie doses of vitamin A and vitamin C, zinc, riboflavin, fiber, and beta-carotene that you would expect from a berry, it also has tons of essential amino acids and even PROTEIN packed into it. Although it is relatively benign in appearance, The Goji berry has some seriously wonderful health promoting properties.

I had previously only tried Goji berries within vegan, raw, faux dessert types of products and had been vastly unimpressed with the flavor. I found Goji berries to be seedy, bitter, sour, and texturally a bit paste-y. When I was given a plain bag of these berries to review I wasn’t exactly excited, but I was certainly attempting to keep an open mind. For something so nutritionally awesome, there are always second and third chances.

First, I tried sprinkling these plain berries atop some oatmeal, once I was done cooking it. I was surprised that the formerly repellent chewy quality actually added a lot to the texture of my oatmeal. The taste was strong, it’s true, but due to the price of the Goji Berries, I actually found this to be a beneficial component. A little Goji went a long way flavor wise!

I was pleased with Gojis as a simple oatmeal topping but still found the flavor to pack just the slightest bit more punch then I would like with breakfast. In a second attempt I stewed the berries in the oatmeal as it cooked. This is when the true miracle happened! With the benefit of softening the Goji’s tartness and integrating the flavor into the oats I was the recipient of some true flavor delight. My bland morning meal was suddenly a delicious textural dream, all due to just a few Gojis. Time to hang up my Goji hater cap and claim it loud and proud: these berries are my new best friend!

I imagine this product would be best in situations where it was cooked a bit. Oatmeal, sweet polentas, and accents to pies seem ideal but experimenting with topping yogurt and granolas with them might work too. Don’t give up on the Goji! It just might surprise you.

Labeling

I found labeling of this product to be very sufficient. All the nutrition information was very clear, and lots of other facts about the benefits of Goji berries were included on the bag.

Packaging:

Packaging of this product was a thick plastic sealed bag. It seemed sufficient for upholding the freshness of the product.

Reader’s Reviews:

Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:           4

Taste:               4         

Value:              3

OVERALL:        3.7

Reviewed by Lacy D.