With the improvement of people's living standards, health issues have become increasingly important. Among the numerous health products, goji berries are highly favored for their abundant nutrients and medicinal value. However, some unscrupulous businesses in the market use sulfur fumigation to make goji berries appear brighter and last longer. This practice not only poses a threat to human health but also causes environmental pollution. Therefore, it is crucial to learn how to determine whether goji berries have been sulfur-fumigated. The following are three simple and practical methods to help you choose healthy and safe goji berries.
1. Observe the color
Goji berries have a natural color, and after drying, they turn dark red or reddish-brown. If the goji berries you purchased have overly vibrant, whitish, or unnaturally bright red color, they are likely to have been sulfur-fumigated. Generally, high-quality goji berries have a dark red or reddish-brown color, wrinkled surface, and plump and neat grains, while inferior goji berries have overly vibrant color, smooth surface without wrinkles, and less plump grains.
2. Smell the odor
Normal goji berries have a faint and mild fragrance, while sulfur-fumigated goji berries have a pungent or chemical odor. Therefore, when purchasing goji berries, you can smell them. If there is an unusual or chemical odor, it is advisable not to purchase them.
3. Taste the texture
Normal goji berries have a sweet taste with a hint of bitterness, while sulfur-fumigated goji berries have a noticeable bitter or spicy taste. When purchasing goji berries, you can taste their texture. If there is an abnormal bitter or spicy taste, it is advisable not to purchase them.
In addition to the above three methods, you can also judge whether goji berries have been sulfur-fumigated by observing their shape and the color of the water after soaking. Normally dried goji berries have a short and small shape with a pointed protrusion on the top, and the water after soaking will turn light yellow or orange. On the other hand, sulfur-fumigated goji berries have a more regular shape without a pointed protrusion on the top, and the water after soaking will turn red or dark red.
If you find any quality issues or suspect that the goji berries you purchased have been sulfur-fumigated, you should contact the seller promptly to protect your legal rights and ensure your health and safety.
