The Benefits of Fresh Wheatgrass & How to Juice It

Wheatgrass has been a staple of the health food world for decades, and it's easy to see why it keeps a loyal following, a little goes a long way, it's simple to prepare, and unlike a lot of "superfood" trends, it's just a plant you can grow in a punnet on your kitchen bench. Here at JoJo's, our wheatgrass is grown fresh right here in Cheltenham, and it's one of the greens our regular customers ask us to restock the most.

What Exactly Is Wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is the young grass of the common wheat plant, harvested at just 7–10 days old, well before it develops into the wheat grain most of us know. At this early stage, the grass is at its most tender and concentrated in nutrients, which is exactly why it's juiced rather than eaten whole.

What's In It

Wheatgrass is naturally rich in chlorophyll, along with a range of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and plant antioxidants. Fresh wheatgrass juice has been studied for a number of potential benefits, including:

• Antioxidant support — its high chlorophyll and flavonoid content may help protect cells from everyday oxidative stress.
• Digestive support — wheatgrass contains natural enzymes, and some people find it helps ease bloating when introduced gradually.
• Immune and energy support — its dense mineral and vitamin profile (including vitamins A, C, E and a range of B vitamins) makes it a popular pick-me-up shot.
• Anti-inflammatory properties — early research has explored wheatgrass's role in reducing markers of inflammation, including in small clinical studies looking at digestive conditions.
• Blood-building properties — chlorophyll's molecular structure is remarkably similar to haemoglobin, which is part of why wheatgrass has traditionally been associated with supporting healthy blood.

As with any single food, wheatgrass isn't a cure-all, and much of the research so far has been in smaller studies or animal models, it's best thought of as one nutrient-dense addition to an already varied, healthy diet, rather than a replacement for one.

How to Juice and Use Wheatgrass

Fresh wheatgrass is typically juiced using a dedicated wheatgrass or masticating juicer, which presses the juice out without the heat and oxidation a standard high-speed juicer can cause. If you don't have a wheatgrass juicer, a mortar and pestle or even a sharp knife and a fine strainer can work in a pinch for a small shot.

A standard serving is a small shot, around 30ml, taken on its own or mixed with a little apple, lemon or orange juice to soften the flavour, which is quite strong and "green" on its own. Some people prefer to start with a smaller amount and build up gradually, especially when trying wheatgrass for the first time.

Prefer not to juice it? You can also snip fresh wheatgrass straight into smoothies, or use a small handful as a garnish on juices and health bowls.

Fresh, Local & Available in a Size to Suit You

We grow our wheatgrass to order using organic, untreated seed in an eco-friendly coco coir medium, so you're getting it at its freshest and most nutrient-dense. To suit different needs, we offer wheatgrass in a range of sizes and price points:

• Live pots — perfect for juicing a shot or two straight off your kitchen bench
• Punnets — a great mid-size option for regular home juicing
• Bowls — ideal as a fresh, living display piece that doubles as a juice supply
• Pre-cut fresh or frozen — convenient if you'd rather skip the growing and cutting
• Bulk orders (20+ punnets) — perfect for juice bars, cafés, events and wholesale customers

Because it's grown to order, we ask for a little lead time (please allow at least 7 days), and wheatgrass is available for pickup from our Cheltenham store.

Make It a Habit — Set Up a Subscription

If wheatgrass becomes part of your regular routine (as it does for many of our customers!), we can organise a standing order so a fresh batch is ready for you on a schedule that suits, weekly or fortnightly are both popular options. It takes the guesswork out of remembering to reorder, and means you'll always have a fresh punnet on hand.

Ready to get started? Check out our Wheatgrass range or give us a call on 1300 056 567 to place an order or set up a regular subscription.

This article is general information and isn't intended as medical advice. If you have specific health concerns, it's always worth chatting with your doctor before making changes to your diet.