Goji Berry Processing Workflow

Raw Material Harvesting and Screening

• Harvesting:Goji berries generally ripen between June and October.They should be harvested when the fruit is fully red and plump.During harvesting,the berries should be gently picked to avoid damaging the branches and leaves of the goji plant.It is strictly forbidden to pull the fruits with hands or tools.After harvesting,the berries should be spread out and aired promptly to prevent them from piling up and generating heat,which could affect their quality.

• Screening:After harvesting,goji berries need to be screened to remove impurities,stones,twigs,leaves,as well as those with abnormal color,irregular shape,unripe or moldy berries.Equipment such as vibrating screens and air separators can be used.Additionally,color sorters can be employed to precisely eliminate substandard products,ensuring the purity and consistency of the raw materials from the very beginning.

Cleaning

• Cleaning Method:The screened goji berries are placed into an air-bubble washing machine.The agitation caused by the bubbles helps to remove mud,dust,and residual pesticides from the surface of the berries.During the cleaning process,the water flow speed and cleaning time must be strictly controlled to avoid damaging the berries.Subsequently,a spray washing machine is used for a second rinse to ensure that every single berry is thoroughly cleaned.

• Draining:After cleaning,the goji berries need to be carefully drained to remove excess surface moisture,preparing them for the next stage of processing.

Drying

• Sun-drying Method:The cleaned goji berries are mixed evenly with an alkaline solution and placed on a container.They are then air-dried in a shaded area for two days.Direct exposure to intense sunlight and manual turning of the berries should be avoided to prevent the fruits from turning black.After the berries have lost some moisture,they can be sun-dried under direct sunlight.It usually takes about ten days to dry them completely.Once dried,the goji berries should be promptly packed into double-layered special bags,with the openings sealed tightly to prevent moisture regain.

• Drying Method:Options include hot-air drying or vacuum drying.For hot-air drying,the berries are placed in a drying chamber with the temperature precisely set at 50-60°C.The drying time is controlled at 12-18 hours.During this period,staff must regularly check and flexibly adjust the drying parameters according to the actual situation.Vacuum drying can be conducted at a lower temperature,which not only better preserves the nutritional components and color of the goji berries but also reduces the drying time,typically to 6-8 hours.

Conditioning

After drying,goji berries need to undergo conditioning to evenly distribute the internal moisture and achieve a softer and more palatable texture.The dried berries are placed in a sealed container for 2-3 days,allowing them to fully absorb the moisture they emit,thus achieving the desired conditioning effect.

Sorting and Packaging

• Sorting:After conditioning,the goji berries are once again strictly sorted using a color sorter to remove any charred or discolored berries that may have occurred during the drying process.Then,based on market demand,the berries are carefully sorted according to different specifications and grades.

• Packaging:Vacuum packaging or nitrogen flushing packaging is used to effectively extend the shelf life of dried goji berries and ensure their quality in all aspects.The packaged dried goji berries should be stored in a cool,dry,and well-ventilated environment,away from direct sunlight and dampness.

Quality Inspection

Quality inspection of the processed goji berries is conducted,including sensory evaluation(such as color,odor,and taste),physicochemical analysis(such as moisture content and nutritional component content),and microbiological testing(such as total bacterial count and mold).This ensures that the products meet relevant standards and regulations,guaranteeing the safety and quality of the products.

In addition to traditional dried goji berry processing,goji berries can also be further processed into goji juice,goji wine,goji health products,and other items.For example,the processing technology of goji juice includes steps such as sorting and cleaning,rehydration and extraction,enzymatic hydrolysis,formulation,homogenization,filtration,filling,and sterilization.