Dried Goji Berries | No Sugar Added

Gerbs Dried Goji Berries with No Sugar Added are vivid, mildly sweet, and nutritionally exceptional, produced in our dedicated 14-allergen-free facility in Johnston, Rhode Island. Free from all 14 major allergens. Rich in zeaxanthin (eye health), vitamin C, iron, and protein relative to other dried fruits. A standout ingredient for smoothie bowls, trail mixes, and oatmeal.

When you’re shopping for dried goji berries with food allergies in mind, the processing environment is as important as the berry’s impressive nutritional profile. Gerbs Dried Goji Berries with No Sugar Added are made in our family-owned, dedicated allergen-free facility in Johnston, Rhode Island. Our facility has never handled gluten, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, dairy, eggs, sesame, or any of the 14 major allergens. No co-packers. No shared lines. Every bag is packed by our own trained staff on equipment dedicated exclusively to non-GMO, vegan, and kosher production. That is the Gerbs Guarantee.

Goji berries (Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense) are small, bright red-orange berries native to China and Tibet that have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Also called wolfberries, they have a mild sweetness with a slight tartness and an earthy, faintly herbal quality that distinguishes them from other dried fruits. No sugar is added, goji berries have enough natural sweetness on their own that they need no enhancement. Their distinctive red-orange color comes from zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, carotenoid compounds that have drawn significant scientific interest for eye health.

Goji berries have become a staple of smoothie bowls, trail mixes, and functional foods globally. Gerbs offers them in their purest form: just the fruit, dried, with nothing added and nothing to worry about allergen-wise.

Allergen Declaration

Free From: Gluten, Wheat, Legume Family (Peanuts, Soybeans, Lentils, Chickpeas, Lupin, Kidney Beans, Black Beans, Pinto Beans, Navy Beans, String Beans, Fava Beans, Green Peas, Split Peas, Black-Eyed Peas, Mung Beans, Adzuki Beans, Tamarind), Tree Nuts (Almonds, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Macadamia Nuts, Pecans, Pistachios, Walnuts, Brazil Nuts, Pine Nuts, Coconut), Shellfish (Crustaceans & Mollusks), Fish, Sesame, Milk/Dairy, Eggs, Mustard, Sulfur Dioxide, Potassium Sorbate.

All raw ingredients are processed, packaged, handled, stored, and shipped by trained staff in our family owned & operated facility in Johnston, Rhode Island on dedicated non-GMO, Vegan, and Kosher equipment. No co-packers. No co-manufacturers. For anyone with a mild to severe food allergy or a family with one, we wish to assure you that this is why Gerbs handles all aspects of production & operation. If you have any questions about your allergy and our products, please contact us at [email protected] or (401) 231-5181 before ordering.

What Are Dried Goji Berries?

Goji berries (Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense) are small, oblong, bright red-orange berries native to China, Tibet, and neighboring regions of East Asia. Also called wolfberries, they have been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for over 2,000 years and remain a significant ingredient in Chinese herbal formulations. Botanically, goji berries belong to the Solanaceae family, the same family as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Their distinctive color comes from zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, carotenoid compounds that have attracted considerable scientific attention for their potential role in eye health. Goji berries have a mild, slightly tart sweetness with a faint herbal or earthy quality. They contain no added sugar, the natural berry provides sufficient sweetness on its own.

Key Health Benefits of Dried Goji Berries

Zeaxanthin for Eye Health

Goji berries are among the richest dietary sources of zeaxanthin, a carotenoid that accumulates in the macula of the eye and is believed to play a protective role against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other forms of oxidative eye damage. USDA FoodData Central and published research identify dried goji berries as containing approximately 160-200 µg of zeaxanthin per gram, an exceptionally high concentration. A 2011 study published in Optometry and Vision Science found that goji berry supplementation increased macular pigment density in older adults.

Vitamin C

Dried goji berries are a notable source of vitamin C, published analyses report approximately 29 mg per 100g dried berry. Vitamin C supports immune function, collagen synthesis, and acts as an antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress. It also enhances non-heme iron absorption, making goji berries a useful pairing with other plant-based iron sources.

Iron

Goji berries are among the better plant-based sources of iron, USDA FoodData Central data indicates approximately 6.8 mg per 100g dried berry. While plant-based (non-heme) iron is less bioavailable than heme iron, the concentration in goji berries is notably high for a fruit. Pairing with vitamin C sources (including the berry’s own vitamin C) enhances absorption.

Polysaccharides

Goji berries contain Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs), complex carbohydrates that have been studied for potential immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties in laboratory and animal models. Human research is ongoing.

Beta-Carotene

The orange-red color of goji berries reflects their beta-carotene content, approximately 7 mg per 100g dried, according to published analyses. Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A, supporting normal vision, immune function, and skin integrity. As with all foods, individual results may vary. Gerbs makes no medical claims.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 oz (28g) | Calories: 98 | Total Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 76mg | Total Carbohydrate: 22g | Dietary Fiber: 3.6g | Total Sugars: 13g (no added sugar) | Protein: 4g | Iron: 1.9mg (11% DV) | Vitamin C: 8mg (9% DV) | Vitamin A: 140 IU

Values are approximate and based on published analyses for dried goji berries (Lycium barbarum). Actual values may vary by batch.

Flavor & Texture Profile

Dried goji berries have a distinctive flavor unlike most other dried fruits, mildly sweet with a slight tartness and a faint herbal, almost medicinal earthiness. They are considerably less sweet than most commercially dried fruits, making them subtle rather than candied. The texture is soft and slightly chewy, similar to a soft raisin but less sticky. Their vivid red-orange color makes them visually striking in smoothie bowls, granola, and trail mixes. No sugar is added.

Ingredients

Dried Goji Berries.

How to Use Dried Goji Berries

Smoothie Bowls

Goji berries are most prominently associated with smoothie bowl preparations, where their vivid red-orange color provides striking visual contrast against purple acai or green smoothie bases. Scatter whole goji berries on top of any smoothie bowl, they provide color, a mild sweetness, and a chew that contrasts with the smooth base. Add just before serving to preserve their texture.

Trail Mix

Goji berries add color, nutritional density, and a distinctive mild-sweet flavor to trail mixes. Their high iron content (11% DV per oz) and protein content (4g per oz, exceptional for a fruit) make them a nutritionally meaningful trail mix component. Combine with banana chips, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries for a complete, allergen-free mix.

Oatmeal

Stir goji berries into hot oatmeal before serving, they soften slightly in the heat but retain their shape and color. They add a gentle, earthy sweetness to oatmeal without the intensity of more strongly flavored dried fruits. Their zeaxanthin content makes this one of the more nutritionally intentional oatmeal additions available.

Baking

Fold goji berries into muffins, granola bars, and cookies as a nutritionally dense dried fruit addition. Their flavor is subtle enough not to dominate a baked good, making them a clean addition to preparations where a boost of nutrition without strong flavor impact is desired. They maintain their color reasonably well through moderate baking temperatures.

Tea Infusions

Goji berries are traditionally used in Chinese herbal teas, steep a small handful of dried goji berries in hot water for 5-10 minutes for a lightly sweet, earthy infusion that captures many of the berry’s water-soluble nutrients. The berries themselves become tender and can be eaten after steeping.

Storage Recommendations

Store Gerbs Dried Goji Berries in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. After opening, refrigeration is recommended, the zeaxanthin and other carotenoid pigments responsible for goji berries’ vivid red-orange color are better preserved at cool temperatures and away from direct light. Unopened, they keep for up to 12 months. After opening, refrigerated goji berries will maintain their color and nutritional quality for 4-6 months. Room temperature storage after opening is acceptable in cool, dry climates for up to 2-3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Gerbs Dried Goji Berries safe for people with food allergies?

Yes. Gerbs Dried Goji Berries are produced in our dedicated allergen-free facility in Johnston, Rhode Island, a facility that has never processed any of the 14 major allergens. No co-packers. No shared equipment. This is particularly meaningful for goji berries, which are sometimes cross-processed with tree nuts, seeds, or other high-allergen ingredients in conventional facilities.

Are goji berries in the nightshade family?

Yes. Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) belong to the Solanaceae family, the same botanical family as tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and eggplant. Individuals with nightshade sensitivity should be aware of this relationship. If you have a known nightshade sensitivity, please contact us at [email protected] before ordering to discuss.

Do Gerbs Dried Goji Berries contain added sugar?

No. The only ingredient is dried goji berries. The natural berry provides its own mild sweetness without any added sweeteners. Goji berries are naturally lower in sugar than most other dried fruits, which contributes to their subtler flavor profile.

Should I refrigerate goji berries after opening?

Yes, we recommend refrigeration after opening to preserve the zeaxanthin and other carotenoid pigments responsible for the berry’s vivid color and eye-health associations. Cool temperatures and reduced light exposure help maintain both color and nutritional integrity. Refrigerated goji berries in an airtight container stay fresh for 4-6 months after opening.

Can I cook with goji berries?

Yes. Goji berries are used in Chinese soups and herbal preparations, often simmered directly in broth. They soften significantly in liquid and release their mild-sweet flavor into the dish. They can also be steeped in hot water as a tea, baked into granola at moderate temperatures, and used as a topping on dishes where no cooking is applied. Heat does reduce some of the heat-sensitive nutrients but does not destroy the berries’ general nutritional contribution.