Once upon a time, in a far-away land, there was a little red berry loved by all. The Goji berry, also known as wolfberry or Lycium barbarum, is renowned in Asia as a highly nutritious, legendary food. Used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1,900 years, this bright orange-red berry is tiny, but it packs a healthy punch.

Traditionally, Goji berries were believed to enhance and improve everything from the immune system and eyesight to sperm production. Apparently, one of the secrets to the berry's magical powers lies in its macromolecular structure of polysaccharides, responsible for fortifying and controlling the immune system. Throw in 19 different amino acids, more vitamin C than oranges, more iron than a steak, and a whole spectrum of antioxidant carotenoids and you've got a pretty serious contender for the world superfruit title. Here are just some of the potential benefits:

The Goji berry contains a whole lot of something called zeaxanthin. A valuable cartenoid, zeaxanthin is absorbed into the retina where it plays a protective role, guarding against age related eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration. Rich in heart healthy beta-carotene and bursting with iron and potassium, goji berries are also good allies against heart disease and aging skin.

Just when you think it can't get any better...take a look at the ORAC value of a Goji berry. The ORAC or Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity is a test developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine antioxidant levels in foods. Antioxidants, of course, are those wonderful things that help slow the aging process and protect cells from free radical damage and cancer. Compare the Goji berry with other contenders:

ORAC VALUES

Prunes - 5,770 Raisins - 2,830 Blueberries - 2,400 Kale - 1,770 Strawberries - 1,540 Spinach- 1,260 Brussels sprouts - 980 Plums - 949 Oranges - 750

GOJI BERRY- over 25, 000!

Suddenly in the mood to stuff a couple in your mouth? Happily, you can find these little suckers more frequently these days (particularly in health food stores) as folks catch on to the craze. Have them in juice, tea, or dried form. The taste? Personally, I find them to be bittersweet cross between cherries and cranberries, with the consistency of an extra chewy raisin.

Not bad. Not bad at all.