I've had goji berries before from nuts.com and they were bright red, soft, and chewy. These were really dry and darker in color, and not juicy or larger like advertised. I relied on the 5 star reviews but should've read the low ratings first. Going back to nuts.com after I attempt to go through this bag of old beans.
EDIT: This company clearly cares about their product quality and tries to make it right for the consumer. The newer bag I received actually did have larger berries as promised and did not crush into brittle pieces like the berries in my first bag did (must've been a bad batch, which happens with any product sold online). Their customer outreach, sense of responsibility, and good product has redeemed them and won me over and so I've updated my rating/review based on these.
6/1/19 Update: just went thru my 2nd bag-I’m hooked! I do believe these things give me better energy than coffee. I ordered a 2# deal from another company to save money and I hope they are as good as these! If not I’ll return and buy some more of these! Never had these before so I didn’t know what to expect. They are moist enough, not quite like a raisin but close. The flavor is...not strong, or excessively sweet and not bad. It’s one of those flavors you can get used to simply because you realize the item is so healthy. I ended up mixing 2T into 1/2C granola, added 1T chopped Semi Sweet Chocolate and love it. I also tried making their hot tea recipe and I liked it. The quality of these berries is very good- moist as described and the product arrived quickly. I plan on buying more.
I don't go out of my way to review all my Amazon purchases, but this brand of goji berries is worth some lavish praise.
As an overseas crop, goji berries bought in the US can be very low quality in many ways, but these are perfect. Viva Labs dried goji berries are indeed "premium" because they are a good color, uniform size, not "rotten" before they're dried, and spotlessly clean.
I use these berries in a folk-medicine recipe, so quality is important. I have these on my Subscribe and Save list, and I plan to keep using this brand. Our household uses quite a few other products by Viva Labs, and I consider this brand to be highly reliable.
1lb, Bag is better than the 2 lb, as the 2 lb bag didn't taste as fresh. But, these are the best. Absolutely flavorful, better than any goji's I can buy from the store. I teach Science of Nutrition courses, so clearly if you're here buying these, you know that they are some of the healthiest, most anti-oxidant packed dried fruits on the planet. Their nutrition profile is PERFECT. 100 calories a serving, 10 cals from fat. 3g of protein, loads of iron and and vitamin A. It's a complete protein. Absolutely tasty, even have a considerable amount of naturally occurring sodium, which is why they taste so great. A great addition to rice or other dishes, they plump up when reconstituted very well. Love, love, love these babies!
I've been a goji munched for a few years. A about me-I'm vegan, athletic, generally eating a low carb/high fat diet. Decent protein intake. Big on digestive health-no sugar and am u sing probiotics. Why does this matter? It affects our tastes and likes! Someone with gut imbalances will tend to like products that further that imbalance and vice versa...so that being said.
These are great. Some of the best I've tried. Good (not hard) texture. Excellent quality. The company also donates to charities and suports fair trade practices.
It's worth a try...at least!
Feature Product
- JUICIEST "SUPER GRADE" GOJIS - Viva Naturals selectively handpicks our super grade gojis that are naturally shade dried to perfection in the Tibetan plateau of the Himalayas. Super grade comprise only a fraction of goji berry harvest, which lend the juiciest mouthfeel and plumpness, exceeding the size of all goji grades.
- PROMOTE LONGEVITY AND GLOWING SKIN - Ordinary goji berries are sun dried upon harvest, whereas our berries are slowly shade dried to preserve powerful carotenoids, uncovering their ability to nourish the skin and promote healthy aging.
- CURB SUGAR CRAVINGS NATURALLY - Known as nature's candies, our goji berries provide the ideal level of sweetness to help cut carb cravings without any added sugars or flavorings!
- SUPPORT HEALTHY VISION - Goji berries possess one of the highest ORAC values among all other berries, providing one of the richest sources of beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. These naturally occurring antioxidants have been clinically shown to support healthy eye development, improving overall vision and cellular health.
- CRAFT HOMEMADE GUILT-FREE SNACKS - Free of preservatives and harmful pesticides, our organic goji berries are certified organic and non-GMO, and pair wonderfully in a variety of recipes. Substitute ordinary mix-ins like chocolate chips and dried cranberries with our succulent goji berries in smoothies, baked goods and salads for a unique flavor in every bite! Great alternative to dried raisins and dried fruit!
Description
The Longevity Berry
Goji Berries, sometimes known as "wolfberries", have been used for thousands of years in ancient Asian medicine for their wide array of health benefits including, enhancing longevity, defending cells against the effects of oxidation and improving mental clarity. With over 20 trace minerals and 18 amino acids, these small, yet powerful sweet red berries can make the simplest recipe bold and vibrant.
Goodness of Viva Naturals Organic Goji Berries. Rich in Antioxidants
Cellular Defense
According to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of selected foods, goji berries received an ORAC score of 3,290- surpassing the antioxidant potential of blueberries, grapes and grapefruit.
Abundance of Nutrients:
Filled with protein, dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C and vitamin A, goji berries are a delicious and nutritious way to promote overall health and longevity. Each serving of Viva Naturals Organic Goji Berries contributes to the maintenance of good health, helping to fulfill dietary requirements.
The Viva Naturals Difference
Viva Naturals Organic Goji Berries are handpicked from the Tibetan Plateau in the most prestigious regions of the Himalayas. As a preferred method to traditional sun-dried goji berries, we carefully lay out our berries to naturally shade dry in rich botanical areas, preserving essential nutrients and lending an incredible mouthfeel beyond compare. Our berries are known as “plateau berries”, rated as top grade berries according to their remarkable plumpness, vibrant red color and delectable sweetness. Viva Naturals Organic Goji Berries are sustainably grown and sourced in accordance with fair trade practices.
I recently turned 60. I'm not unhealthy but I do have high blood pressure. I just wanted to give myself a gift of health. So I researched and then purchased several powdered products. Wheatgrass, chlorella, spirulina, maca, moringa, and ashwagandha. I also bought goji berries which I ground up in my ninja and bee pollen. I tried mixing these in a smoothie but could barely choke it down. Now I mix about 2 tablespoon of each all together with a couple packets of monkfruit stevia sweetener. I mix a spoonful of this with applesauce every morning and it is delicious. Last Dr. visit blood pressure was perfect. I don't know what it is really doing for me but when the flu went around at work and everyone around me was getting it I did not get sick. These are also very good thrown whole into a cup of tea.
These are so sweet I'm suspicious there are added sugars! My favorite brand of Goji Berries so far and also the cleanest. There is still some foreign organic material though.
Edit: The first bag I got was really good and juicy. The second bag was still juicy but the berries were all clumped together and there have been a lot of funny tasting ones. Some taste slightly like surfer or dust--these I still eat. Some taste like gasoline or some kind of chemical--these I don't eat. One tasted like dirt and I think maybe there was just dirt stuck to it. Still my favorite brand though.
I rarely review food products but this one somehow compelled me to.
I have been eating Goji berries for years, mostly from Navitas and happy with them.
Somehow I thought of trying these out and I am glad I did.
They really are "juicier" (if I can say that for dry fruits?) and tastier than any other Goji I've tried before.
Even though I've been eating Goji almost every day for a while, my first handful of these was really a "Wow moment".
Add the fact that they are cheaper, and still organic (and vegan) I don't see myself going back to another brand.
So thanks Viva Labs!
Hoping Viva customer service responds to my review. Just finishing up my second order/bag of Goji Berries. Both bags contained product that was good in flavor. However, most recent bag contained product that seemed a little more compact and stuck together, and in eating the contents, have come across 5-6 (so far) occurrences of a small amount of green mold clinging to some of the berries. To be fair, I suppose the mold could have started after I received the berries, although I do keep the bag sealed shut, with most of the air pushed out of the bag......A little mold ain't gonna kill ya, but it does create a concern on how the berries are packaged and stored......
Great quality and fair price! If you complain that they are dried that means you don't read the descriptions of products. People that buy goji berries from several brands know that all are basically the same. Some are more crunchier than others, a little bit larger one form the other, but practically the same. This brand in particular, I love it, because the size of each berry is a little bit larger than normal goji berries from other brands. Regarding price, for 1 pound of organic goji berries the price ranged from $13.75/lb (buying 2 or more pounds) thru $15.99/lb (buying only one pound). Accordingly, this brand has a fair price for the quality it offered. Also, all goji berries are from China, but unlike rice and other foods there is no problem as long as you have the USDA Organics and Non-GMO Projects certifications. Good luck!!!
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