Sha Bei Blood Goji

Sha Bei Blood Goji

　　Regarding goji berries, Li Shizhen wrote in *Compendium of Materia Medica*: “Goji refers to two types of trees. This plant has thorns like those of the citron and stems like those of the willow, hence the combined name.” These words mean that the plant’s thorns resemble those of a citron, and its stems resemble those of a willow tree. Combining the names of these two plants, it was thus named goji. Hebei goji was introduced from its original production area of Zhongwei County in Ningxia and has a history of over 200 years. Its cultivation area and yield rank first in the country and it has captured both domestic and international markets. Hebei goji is famous both at home and abroad, mainly due to six characteristics: large size, thick flesh, few seeds, bright red color, sweet taste, and soft texture. Because of its blood-red color, Hebei goji is also known as “Blood Goji.” Blood Goji is abundantly produced in areas such as Da Cheng, Qing County, Shen County, and Julu in our province, with an annual output of over 5 million kilograms, making it one of the province’s medicinal strengths. Among them, Julu County in Hebei is the largest goji production base in the country.

　　 　 Julu County has been cultivating goji for over 30 years. Currently, the county has a total planting area of 50,000 mu, involving 186 villages across the county, with an annual output of 5 million kilograms of dried fruit.

　　 　 Goji plants generally grow to a height of 1.5–2 meters, with a naturally open or umbrella-shaped canopy. The leaves are simple and alternate, and the flowers are mostly clustered. The ripe fruit is mostly blood-red, with a few being orange or orange-yellow. The flesh is sweet. In 1978, Julu goji was nationally appraised as the second-best quality in China and was named “Blood Goji,” with the export code “01.”

　　 　 Goji is a treasure—the whole plant is valuable, usable both medicinally and as food. The root bark has effects such as reducing fever, alleviating inflammation, and promoting urination. The leaves contain 18 kinds of amino acids, 0.926% selenium, 2.264% flavonoids, and various trace elements. Selenium deficiency in the human body can lead to cancer, while flavonoids can calm the nerves and soften blood vessels. The most valuable part is still the goji berry, which contains 13–21% protein, 22–52% sugar, 8–14% fat, 0.0912% betaine, and per 100 grams includes: 3.96 mg of carotene, 0.23 mg of thiamine, 0.33 mg of vitamin B2, 3 mg of vitamin C, 1.7 mg of niacin, 1.7 mg of ash content, along with 1.39 mg of copper, 3.51 mg of zinc, 27.37 mg of iron, 363.58 mg of calcium, 155.72 mg of magnesium, 0.017 mg of cadmium, 0.31 mg of molybdenum, 0.078 mg of cobalt, 0.13 mg of nickel, and 0.17 mg of selenium. Whether used medicinally or consumed raw, steeped as a drink, or mixed into soups and dishes, goji berries can achieve the effects of “nourishing kidney, moistening lung, generating essence, benefiting marrow, supplementing deficiencies, nourishing blood, improving eyesight, enhancing complexion, and blackening hair,” earning the laudatory title of “food that makes people smarter.”

　　 Julu County is not only a nationally renowned goji production base but also the largest goji distribution hub in the country. It has built a large-scale specialized goji market and fostered a significant goji marketing workforce. The products are exported to countries and regions such as the United States, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, and are highly favored by foreign buyers.