What is wheatgrass?
Wheatgrass is a young grass (about 7-10 days old) that grows from wheat germ. You can get it in the pot, grow it by yourself or buy it in the form of wheatgrass powder. If you’d like to have a wheatgrass superfood smoothie recipe, we have some for you.
It is unbelievably healthy because 30 grams of wheatgrass contains more nutrients than a kilogram of green leafy vegetables! For example, 100g of wheatgrass contains 60 x more vitamin C than oranges, 30 x more vitamin B1 and 11 x more calcium than raw milk, 50 x more vitamin E than spinach and 5 x more magnesium than bananas.
It also contains over 20 essential and non-essential amino acids, plenty of chlorophyll (70%), beta-carotene, vitamin B12 (rare in plant foods), essential fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids) and over 80 highly active enzymes.
Yes, I know. Many will say that it’s nothing but rabbit food! But it is so much more than just grass. I have benefited from wheatgrass myself and I’m very happy about trying it out.
The first time I heard about it was when I saw the documentary “May I Be Frank”, in which Frank drinks wheatgrass juice and finds it quite awful.
Wheatgrass is a true superfood because:
- It strengthens the immune system;
- Is strongly basic;
- Has an anti-inflammatory effect (eg helps with bronchitis, cystitis, gout, rheumatism, skin inflammation);
- Gets blood health;
- Affects blood pressure and blood sugar lowering;
- Has a strong antioxidant effect;
- Binds toxins in the intestine and helps with weight loss;
- Stimulates the digestion;
- Increases performance and provides long-lasting energy;
- Prevents bacterial infections;
- Cleanses the liver;
- Promotes wound healing;
- Protects against tooth decay;
- Besides, although it grows from wheat germ, it is gluten-free!
==> Related: How to make wheatgrass shot
How does it taste?
It really tastes very “grassy”. And it has a certain sharpness, which I find very interesting, eg in the smoothie.
The truth is that most people find the taste of wheatgrass awful. But if you get used to the taste first, you may not experience such a problem with some of the recipes I’m going to list here.
Unlike some other therapies that require to take certain remedies in large quantities before you can notice effects, the wheatgrass can be effective in small amounts because of its high nutrient content.
How to use wheatgrass?
Wheatgrass superfood juice should be drunk in the morning, on an empty stomach. Or alternatively about 2 hours after the meal. This allows the body to best absorb the nutrients.
If you use wheatgrass powder, you can easily dissolve it in water, juice or smoothie.
If you have fresh wheatgrass at home, it is best to squeeze it with a suitable press juicer machine. I don’t have one so I make juice with a blender. I add water and any fruit, depending on my mood.
I am going to list out some of the best recipes that you could use to take your wheatgrass.
Wheatgrass in a glass of water
This is pretty easy and quick. All you have to do is simply mix a teaspoon of organic burst wheatgrass into a glass of water. To make it taste better, you can add a few drops of lemon juice. It is advised that you use mineral water or filtered water.
The taste is fresh, slightly sweet (unless you add the lemon) and without bitterness. Definitely give it a try and see how it makes you feel.
Intake:
For optimal results, it is good you take it first thing in the morning. It helps cleanse and detoxify your system, invigorates you and also helps regulate digestion. You can drink an extra glass of water.
- You can also prepare this recipe 30 minutes to 1 hour before eating other meals to prevent overeating
- Take in between meals to reduce snack cravings
- Basically whenever you like (you can’t overdose on it)
Wheatgrass latte
A delicious and creamy recipe, super quick with just 2 or 3 ingredients. This is a winner recipe for many people including my daughter.
You are going to need:
- 1 cup whole milk (measurement can change with condensed, evaporated milk)
- 1 teaspoon of wheatgrass powder
- A few drops of pure Stevia or you can replace it with any sweetener of your choice (however, this ingredient is optional).
Method:
First, mix the milk with stevia and then add the wheatgrass powder. You can use a spoon, but whisking gives you a more homogenized mixture.
Tip: If you are going to use a spoon to mix, first pour some milk (just a little) into the glass, then add a teaspoon of wheatgrass and make a paste with a spoon. Once you get the paste, you can pour in the remaining milk and stir.
This drink is very tasty because of the milk and added sweetener and is a very good substitute for coffee or soda, in the morning or afternoon.
Wheatgrass superfood and smoothies
If you want some variety in addition to freshly squeezed wheatgrass juice, then you will also be interested in smoothies. Therefore we have 6 recipes for delicious wheatgrass smoothies for you! Each superfood smoothie recipe is great as these smoothies are full of vitamins and nutrients and give you energy for the whole day.
Since the nutrients decompose quickly, I recommend you to drink the smoothies right after you prepare them. There are numerous smoothies that you can add wheatgrass to, but here is a list of fast, easy recipes to enjoy your wheatgrass.
For the preparation of the wheatgrass smoothies, you should use a high-performance mixer that can cope with the viscous vegetable fibers.
Sunny morning superfood smoothie recipe
For a good start to the day, this wheatgrass smoothie is just right. It tastes fruity-sour and very pleasant.
Ingredients for 2 people:
- 2 oranges
- 1 banana
- 1 lime
- 40 g wheatgrass OR 20 ml wheatgrass
- Juice
- 1 glass of crushed ice
Peel the oranges, banana and lime and put them in the blender. The seeds of the lime are crushed by the blender, so you do not feel it anymore. Add the wheatgrass and ice on top of it and then blend for about 90 seconds until smooth. If you use wheatgrass juice, add it at the end.
Vegetable pure superfood smoothie recipe
Ideal for those who love vegetables. This is a low-sugar smoothie that gives you more energy! The orange color of the smoothie is due to carrots. This smoothie is very viscous and only for real vegetable fans.
Ingredients for 2 persons:
- 2 carrots
- 3 stalks celery
- 3-4 stems parsley
- A handful of baby spinach
- 60 g wheatgrass OR 30 ml wheatgrass juice
- 200 ml of water
- A glass full of crushed ice
Pineapple wheatgrass superfood smoothie recipe
This smoothie is very light in taste and very fluid. A ripe and sweet pineapple is crucial to the taste of this smoothie.
Ingredients for 2 persons:
- 1/4 pineapple
- 40 g wheatgrass OR 20 ml wheatgrass juice
- 3-4 leaves of mint
- 250 ml water
- A glass full of crushed ice
Peel and quarter the pineapple. The middle part doesn’t have to be removed as the blender has no problem with that. If you use wheatgrass juice, just add it shortly before the end.
Wheatgrass Piñacolada recipe
We’ve saved the best for last. My absolute favorite among the wheatgrass smoothies is the wheatgrass Pinacolada. The taste is very fresh and moves you to the sun, the beach, between palm trees and the sea.
Ingredients for 2 persons:
- 1/2 pineapple
- 1/2 banana
- A handful of baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons of chia seeds
- 40 g wheatgrass OR 20 ml wheatgrass juice
- 200 ml of coconut milk
- A glass full of crushed ice
Peel and quarter the pineapple. The middle part doesn’t have to be removed, the mixer manages that. Mix the remaining ingredients in the blender for 60-90 seconds. If you use wheatgrass juice, add it at the end.