Goumi like Autumn Olives are a species of Elaeagnus native to China, Korea, and Japan. Elaeagnus multiflora is a deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub or small tree growing to 2-8 m tall, with a trunk up to 30 cm diameter with dark brown bark.

Goumi are high in vitamin A and E, bioactive compounds, minerals, flavonoids and proteins. Their lycopene content is the highest of any food and is being used in the prevention of heart disease, cancers and in the treatment of cancer. Cooking the fruit increases the lycopene content. The fruits and seeds are an excellent source of essential fatty acids as well which is very unusual for a fruit. The seeds are also edible although somewhat fibrous, and are especially high in proteins and fats.

The fruit is round to oval drupe 1 cm long, silvery-scaled orange, ripening red dotted with silver or brown, pendulous on a 2-3 cm peduncle. When ripe in mid- to late summer, the fruit is juicy, tart and edible.

All of the eleagnus species are nitrogen fixers. They take nitrogen out of the air and put it into the ground through a symbiotic relationship with a bacteria that lives in their roots, thereby improving the fertility of the surrounding soils.

Future database has some good things to say about the Goumi. As well as confirming the health benefits and edible nature (pleasantly acid flavour), it is noted that plants can be grown as a hedge in exposed positions, tolerating maritime exposure. Reasonably fast growing and providing a good screen in the summer, though much more open in the winter. It is a good companion hedge to grow, the plants enriching the soil and improving the growth of neighbouring plants.

Goumi Distribution

This tree is indigenous to China, Korea and Japan. It is also grown in various parts of North America and Europe. This species has become naturalized in different regions of eastern United States.

Health benefits

These fruits are considered to be beneficial for health over a very long period of time, mainly in China. But these benefits have not been proved scientifically.

The fruits are believed to be able to reduce cholesterol.

They have astringent property.

Goumi is thought to be a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, flavonoids and various minerals.

These fruits are also quite rich in many essential fatty acids.

They are sometimes used for treating watery diarrhoea.

The leaves of these bushes are used for curing cough.

Their roots are sometimes used as a remedy for itching

Goumi Uses:

The fruits are used for a number of edible purposes. But their fibrous seeds are not generally eaten despite being edible.

Edibles Uses

Ripe fruits and seeds are eaten raw.

They are sometimes used for making various types of desserts

The under ripe Goumi fruits are also used for making delicious jams and jellies.

These fruits are often pickled and used in preservatives.