Goji berries are amazing, but they don’t stay fresh for very long once they’re picked. While nothing beats the taste of a sun-warmed berry straight off the bush, these little red-orange powerhouses are also a total treat when dried. If you’re looking to stock your pantry, here’s everything you need to know about drying your goji harvest.
Why Dry Your Goji Berries?
One thing you’ll notice about goji plants is that the berries don’t all ripen at once. They tend to stagger their growth, which means you’ll be heading out for several harvests throughout the season. Since you’ll likely end up with more fruit than you can eat in one sitting, drying is the perfect way to preserve them. For the best results, you’ll want to start the drying process as soon as possible after picking to lock in that freshness.
Prepping Your Berries for Drying
Once you’ve finished harvesting, it’s time for a little prep work. First, remove the stems (since it’s usually easier to pick them with the stems attached to keep the fruit intact). Give them a quick rinse under cool, clear water to get rid of any garden dust or dirt. Like raspberries or blueberries, gojis have tiny seeds that are perfectly fine to eat, so there’s no need to worry about pitting them!
After washing, gently pat the berries dry and spread them out on some paper towels. Pro tip: Make sure they are in a single layer and not touching or overlapping. This ensures they dry quickly and evenly without any mushy spots.
Three Ways to Get the Job Done
- In the sun
- In the oven
- In a food dehydrator
Sun Drying
If the weather is on your side, sun drying is the easiest, most natural method. Just find a sunny spot—ideally under a porch roof or awning so a surprise rain shower doesn’t ruin your hard work. Be sure to bring them inside at night so the evening dew doesn’t add moisture back into the fruit. Give them a little toss or turn every now and then so they dry out uniformly.
In the Oven or Dehydrator
If you’re short on time (or sunshine), the oven is a great alternative. Spread the berries in a single layer on a baking sheet and set your oven to a low temperature—around 105°F to 120°F (40-50°C). Keep the oven door cracked open just a tiny bit to let the moisture escape.
If you’re a serious gardener, a food dehydrator is really the gold standard here. They have multiple racks and are designed to circulate air much more efficiently than a standard oven. And hey, if drying isn’t your thing, you can always freeze your goji berries instead!
