We see them so often- in soups, teas, desserts and even stir-fries-that we tend to forget the rice nutritional value of these small bright-red dried berries. Wolfberries are the fruit of the matrimony vine, or Chinese boxthorn. Hence, they are also known as boxthorn fruit. The Chinese call it "ji zi", while in Cantonese, it is named (gau kei chi ) or simply (kei chi). it is grown in China and Japan and Korean. The berries have a subtle sweetness and lovely colour that enliven the flavour and visual appeal of dishes. You can eat the dried fruit, uncooked, as a health snack . The fruit is famed for helping improve poor eyesight. Those who read or stare at computer screens for long periods of time would benefit from a soup or drink made with wolfberries. In Chinese medicine, wolfberries are said to strengthen liver and kidney, and in helping to nourish the liver, our eyesight is improved. Other studies show that the berries are rich in carotene, hence explaining their prowess in aiding eyesight. Wolfberries also possess vitamin C, and when used together with other herbs they help to rejuvenate our bodies and make us feel better. The tender, slightly bitter leaves of the boxthorn plant are also eaten as a vegetable.Know as 'gau kei choy' in Cantonese, the leaves are often cooked with the berries in soups and stir-fries. |
