In which I drink wheatgrass juice, and it tastes like...grass.

Have you guys ever had a shot of wheatgrass? I love it. I think it's super delicious and sweet and earthy. And if you chase it with a banana, it doesn't leave that lingering flavor that is distinctly...grassy. It's supposed to be packed with vitamins and nutrients. When I worked at a sandwich and smoothie shop, I had cancer survivors come in daily who swore by it. Also cyclists, moms, vegans, professors, and pretty much every other genre of people.

Shops like the one I worked at bought wheatgrass by the flat, which is a really large quantity. If you want to grow it at home, you can do it really easily indoors, and in much smaller quantities. Pictured above is my first crop of wheatgrass, grown simply in a glass dish on a moist paper towel. You can also cook the wheat berries in various ways, or just display the seeds or grass if you don't want to eat them. Either way, it's pretty.

How to grow wheatgrass:

For the quanitity grown in the top picture, use about 1 1/2 tablespoons of seeds (I use red wheatberries).

Soak the seeds for twelve hours, then rinse them for another twelve hours (just let them sit in a sieve over a bowl). Timing is not a solid rule. Do what works for you. I soaked them in the morning, then rinsed them in the evening overnight. 

For single use:

Spread the seeds over a wet (but not sopping) paper towel in a dish. Do not cover. Place under a window or in a warm environment. The warmer and more comfortable the seeds are, the faster and taller the grass will grow. Spritz the paper towel daily, making sure it is never dry. You should see the beginnings of little sprouts within a day. Your grass should grow to optimal height within 4-5 days. Once the grass is 3-7 inches high, cut above the seed about a half inch. Use as desired! Throw it in a salad, juice it, blend it into a smoothie, or whatever!

For multiple uses:

You'll need a garden container of some kind, as well as soil. The reason you get more uses by using soil is because the seeds are able to continually draw nutrients. If you grow on a towel, the first cut is really the only one that will have any nutrients. Spread the seeds on the soil. Do not bury them. Make sure the soil is moist, and that the container is able to drain. If the container has no openings in the bottom, your plants get root-rot and die really quickly. Keep the soil moist, place in a warm area such as your kitchen counter, and watch the grass grow! Again, once the grass is 3-7 inches high, cut above the seed about a half inch. 

*It is really common for the roots to grow a little bit of white mold. There is not really a way to prevent this without depriving the seeds of water. Don't be startled by it, just cut the grass as normal, and make sure to rinse it. 

**Indoor growth is recommended, as bugs and birds can get to the grass if it is outside. 

***Pets love wheatgrass - especially cats. If you don't like wheatgrass, grow it for a happy, healthy pet. 

****Poor germination could be caused by lack of water, excess heat or cold, or other factors. Keep an eye on it, make sure to water well, and keep out of direct sunlight. 

To buy red wheatberries, click here. For any questions on germination or health benefits, leave a comment on this post or email me at tesiahwilk@yahoo.com.