Wheatgrass is the young, freshly sprouted first leaves of the common wheat plant, known scientifically as Triticum aestivum. This sprout is harvested in its early stages of growth, before maturing into the grain-producing wheat we commonly know. Wheatgrass is cultivated specifically as a dietary supplement to capture the plant’s concentrated nutritional compounds.
Visual Characteristics of the Growing Plant
The most striking visual characteristic of a ready-to-harvest wheatgrass crop is its color, a vibrant, rich emerald green. This intense coloration is due to its high concentration of chlorophyll, the green pigment responsible for photosynthesis. When grown densely in trays, the blades form a thick, lush carpet of fine, flat grass shoots.
The grass is generally harvested when it reaches a height of approximately 6 to 10 inches, usually 7 to 10 days after planting. At this stage, the blades are soft and supple, lacking the tough, coarse structure of a mature stalk. The shoots grow closely together in a clumped pattern, emerging directly from the growing medium. The fine, matted root structure below the surface is separated from the blades during harvest and is not consumed.
Distinguishing Wheatgrass from Mature Wheat
Wheatgrass is visually distinct from a fully grown wheat plant because it is harvested before the jointing stage. This means the plant has not yet developed a strong, hollow central stalk, known as a culm. Instead, it presents only as thin, green leaves emerging from the base.
The mature wheat plant, in contrast, grows significantly taller and develops a hardened, jointed stalk to support its reproductive structure. The most recognizable difference is the absence of a seed head or spike in wheatgrass, which holds the wheat grain. Mature wheat is defined by the presence of this grain-bearing spike, contrasting sharply with the simple, young foliage of wheatgrass.
Forms Wheatgrass Takes for Consumption
Most consumers encounter wheatgrass in a processed form rather than as freshly cut blades. Freshly extracted wheatgrass juice is a deep, opaque green liquid, often appearing slightly frothy when served. This intense color reflects the high chlorophyll content, leaving behind a pale green, fibrous pulp of indigestible cellulose.
The dried forms of wheatgrass appear as a fine powder. Whole wheatgrass powder is a medium to light green color, resembling dried culinary herbs. Wheatgrass juice powder, made by dehydrating the liquid extract, is often a finer, more concentrated powder. Both powdered forms are typically mixed with water or other liquids for consumption.