Wheatgrass – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What is wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is the name given to the young leaves of the wheat plant. It’s considered a superfood and is widely used as a dietary supplement, particularly in juices and smoothies.

Since wheatgrass has a rather intense flavor, it’s generally not served whole or directly eaten. Instead, it’s typically turned into a fresh juice, which can be consumed directly or added in shots to smoothies. A shot of wheatgrass can also be added to salad dressings, sauces, and soups, but you may need to consider masking the grassy flavor of wheatgrass with other rich flavors.

While there are generally no downsides to consuming wheatgrass, you should avoid it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have kidney disease. Although technically, wheatgrass is gluten-free, people with allergies to wheat or gluten may prefer to avoid it, as it may provoke a reaction.

Where did wheatgrass originate from?

Wheatgrass has been used by humans for at least the past 5,000 years, and yet its potential health benefits were largely overlooked in the modern Western world until as recently as the 1930s. The ancient Egyptians are believed to have used wheatgrass to boost health, and wheatgrass has also been an important feature of traditional Persian and Indian festivals for centuries.

What is the nutritional value of wheatgrass?

This superfood provides a healthy bump to your nutritional intake for the day. Compared to other fresh herbs, wheatgrass is especially rich in antioxidants. One tablespoon (8g) of wheatgrass supplies:

• 25 calories
• 6g carbohydrates; includes 4g fiber
• 1g protein
• no fat and no sugar

Wheatgrass is particularly notable for its high chlorophyll content and is also a good source of vitamins, including B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, and minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorous.

How is wheatgrass grown?

Wheatgrass can be grown directly from seed, or the seeds can be sprouted in a jar of water before planting. Once you’re ready to plant, wheatgrass is typically grown in damp soil. The plant requires a warm climate of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and after the first few days following planting, when the wheatgrass should be kept in the shade, it benefits from exposure to direct sunlight. As long as it receives enough light, wheatgrass does well either indoors or outdoors.

Wheatgrass leaves should be cut from the plant when they reach a height of around six inches. At this point, the leaves should be starting to split. However, it’s fine to harvest wheatgrass sooner if you want to. The wheatgrass plant will grow again after harvesting, but each new round of growth comes with a drop-off in nutritional potency. After around two or three harvests, it’s time to replant. Harvested wheatgrass is often dried, then converted into a wheatgrass powder or tablets for retail.

When is wheatgrass in season?

Wheatgrass will grow all year round as long as the necessary climate conditions are maintained. Even in slightly cooler temperatures, wheatgrass can still grow, albeit more slowly. Fresh wheatgrass isn’t always easy to find in grocery stores, so use Instacart to search for wheatgrass at a grocery store near you.

How do you pick wheatgrass at the grocery store?

If you’re buying fresh wheatgrass, look for leaves that are a bright, uniform shade of green. The leaves should be perky and vibrant rather than wilted.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for wheatgrass via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products.

How to store wheatgrass

The key to storing wheatgrass effectively is to keep it dry. Wrap the leaves in a paper towel, place them in a plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator. If stored under the right conditions, wheatgrass will last for up to a week. Whole wheatgrass leaves should not be frozen.

If you’re juicing your wheatgrass leaves, and end up with leftover juice, pour it into an ice cube tray. Wheatgrass ice cubes are highly versatile, as they can either be defrosted together to serve as wheatgrass juice, or you can add an individual cube to give any other drink an added kick of wheatgrass goodness.

How to tell if wheatgrass is bad

Signs that wheatgrass has gone bad include:

• Leaves that have become wilted or soggy
• Browning or yellowing of leaves
• Wheatgrass that has a strong smell or a foul smell

What can I substitute for wheatgrass?

Since wheatgrass is consumed for its “superfood” qualities rather than its flavor, any replacement ingredient must come equipped with serious nutritional credentials. Spinach is the ideal candidate, and not just because it’s a similarly bold shade of green. Spinach is as conducive to juicing and adding to smoothies and other drinks and has a milder flavor.

Although it contains only about one-fifth as much chlorophyll as wheatgrass, spinach is still one of the best sources of the compound. Spinach contains many of the same nutrients as wheatgrass, and it’s actually richer in minerals like iron and calcium than wheatgrass.

If you’re looking for a replacement for the chlorophyll content of wheatgrass, adding some moringa powder to your drinks is your best bet. Moringa powder matches wheatgrass closely in terms of calorie, protein, and carb content. Although wheatgrass still beats moringa for vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium, it offers a superior source of iron and calcium.

Wheatgrass boosts your health naturally

While wheatgrass should be avoided by certain categories of people, it’s an excellent addition to a healthy diet for many of us. Even adding a shot of wheatgrass to a drink provides the body with an instant hit of essential compounds that can boost the immune system and resist illness. However, wheatgrass can be difficult to find, so rather than visiting multiple grocery stores, use Instacart to help you locate wheatgrass at a store near you and enjoy same-day delivery on your order!

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