The saying goes, "Food is better than medicine." Many people like to drink water infused with black goji berries to nourish their bodies. However, some unscrupulous businesses may sell fake black goji berries, which can cause problems during the soaking process. So, are black goji berries that lose color when soaked toxic?
【Black Goji Berries That Lose Color When Soaked】
The reason why black goji berries change color when soaked is because the anthocyanins in the berries dissolve in water. Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments and are particularly sensitive to acidity and alkalinity. They can change colors depending on the pH of the environment. In acidic water, they appear in shades of purple (purple, purplish red, iron red, etc.), while in alkaline water, they appear in shades of blue (blue, bluish green, lake blue, etc.). Therefore, black goji berries soaked in different water will have different colors. Generally, when soaked in mineral water, they turn purple, while when soaked in tap water, they turn blue.
When soaking black goji berries, it is recommended to use water below 60 degrees Celsius or cold water. Boiling water should not be used because high temperatures can degrade the anthocyanins and some nutrients in black goji berries. The change in color when soaking black goji berries is generally related to the water quality and has little to do with the berries themselves.
Drinking water infused with goji berries will not cause color loss, but high-quality goji berries will release red pigment into the water, resulting in a faint red color. If you find that the goji berries you bought lose color significantly, they are likely to be of poor quality. They are usually old or damaged goods that have been dyed artificially, resulting in bright colors but shriveled flesh. Goji berries have many benefits for the body, such as nourishing the kidneys and improving eyesight, tonifying the liver and nourishing blood, calming the mind, moistening the lungs, and stopping coughs. They are beneficial for treating liver and kidney deficiency, sore lower back and knees, dizziness, blurry vision with excessive tears, cough, and excessive thirst.
【Normal Color Changes When Soaking Black Goji Berries】
Black goji berries will appear different colors depending on the water quality (i.e., different pH values) and water temperature. When soaked in acidic water (tap water/mountain spring water, etc.), they will turn purple, while when soaked in alkaline water (mineral water, etc.), they will turn blue. It is recommended to use water below 60 degrees Celsius for soaking, as high temperatures can degrade anthocyanins.
When soaking black goji berries, interesting color-changing phenomena may occur. When soaked in tap water (water temperature below 60 degrees Celsius), they immediately become slimy and turn blue. After waiting for a while, the color changes to blue ink. When soaked in mineral water (water temperature below 60 degrees Celsius), they immediately become slimy and turn purple. After waiting for a while, the color changes to dark purple. When soaked in boiling water (tap water), they immediately become slimy and turn blue. After waiting for a while, the color becomes lighter. At the end of the soaking process, some fruits may appear as white and transparent.
【Methods to Identify Fake Black Goji Berries】
1. First, observe the color of the water when soaking black goji berries. Usually, fake black goji berries will exhibit three situations:
- The color of the water when soaking fake black goji berries is very light. If you rub them in your hand, they will not stain your skin. In contrast, real black goji berries will stain your skin.
- Generally, black goji berries can be steeped three times, but fake black goji berries lose their color after one steeping.
- Real black goji berries, when soaked, show different colors in different water, which is normal and natural. A cup of black goji berries can be steeped three to four times, and during the steeping process, you can see the release of anthocyanins in the water. This process cannot be observed with fake black goji berries.
2. When buying black goji berries, pay attention to the following points:
- The market price of black goji berries is not fixed. Be cautious if you encounter extremely low prices, as they may be fake. When buying, you can crush a few black goji berries with your hands and see if your hands are stained. Real black goji berries will leave a slight brownish color on your hands, while fake black goji berries will leave a much darker color.
- Real black goji berries have a faint sweet taste, while fake black goji berries have a heavier taste.
3. The stems of black goji berries should be grayish-white. If the stems are black like the fruits, be careful as they may have been dyed. Additionally, when peeling off the outer skin, the inside of black-colored grains should be light in color. If the inner part also has color, it is likely to have been dyed. Furthermore, when soaking dyed food, the water often turns black quickly, and the solution is pure black and opaque.
Finally, anthocyanin pigments turn red in acidic conditions and blue in alkaline conditions. For example, if you add vinegar to the water when soaking black goji berries, the color will turn deep pink. If you add a certain amount of alkali or baking soda, the color will turn blue-purple. Dyed food will not undergo such changes.
