Can you just blend wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is the young grass of the common wheat plant, Triticum aestivum. It is typically harvested before it reaches full maturity, when the grass is still green and soft. Wheatgrass is packed with nutrients and gained popularity in the 1930s as a health food. It’s available as a juice, powder, tablet, and frozen product. Some people grow and juice wheatgrass in their own homes using a special juicer or high-powered blender.

Introduction

Wheatgrass is an excellent source of many different vitamins and minerals. It is especially high in vitamins A, C and E, as well as iron, magnesium, calcium and amino acids. Some specific health benefits of wheatgrass include:

• May help fight cancer: Wheatgrass contains antioxidants and nutrients that may help protect cells from damage and reduce cancer risk.
• Aids digestion: The nutrients and enzymes in wheatgrass help promote digestion and improve gut health.
• Detoxifies the liver: Wheatgrass may help stimulate liver function and protect the liver from toxins.
• Reduces cholesterol: Some research shows wheatgrass may lower cholesterol levels and help protect heart health.
• Boosts immunity: The nutrients in wheatgrass, including vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc, help support a healthy immune system.

With all these nutrients, it’s no wonder wheatgrass is considered a superfood. Juicing or blending wheatgrass enables you to consume those nutrients efficiently. But can you just throw wheatgrass in a blender, or do you need a special juicer?

Blending vs. Juicing Wheatgrass

There are a few key differences between making wheatgrass juice in a juicer vs. blending wheatgrass:

Juicing

• Extracts the liquid, leaving behind the pulp/fiber
• Quickly and easily separates nutrients from the wheatgrass
• Requires a masticating or centrifugal juicer
• Produces a smooth, pulpy, bright green juice

Blending

• Mixes all parts of the wheatgrass together
• Doesn’t separate the pulp from the juice
• Only requires a regular blender
• Creates a thick, dark green blend with pulp

In order to make a proper wheatgrass juice, you need to break down the plant’s tough cell walls to release the nutrients and liquid. A juicer is specially designed to do this quickly and efficiently. Blenders don’t completely rupture all the plant cells, so some nutrients remain trapped in the pulp.

Can You Blend Wheatgrass in a Regular Blender?

While juicing wheatgrass is ideal, you can make a wheatgrass blend using a good blender. The key things to look for in a blender if you want to blend wheatgrass are:

• High wattage motor (800+ watts)
• Sharp, sturdy blades
• Narrow jar shape (makes it easier to process greens)
• Tamper to push wheatgrass into blades

A high-speed blender like Vitamix, Ninja, Blendtec, Cleanblend or other powerful models can produce a drinkable wheatgrass blend. However, there are some downsides to using a regular blender instead of a juicer:

Downsides of blending wheatgrass

• May not fully break down cell walls and extract all nutrients
• Contains insoluble fiber which may cause digestive issues if consumed in excess
• Has a thicker, more pulpy texture
• Grass taste may be stronger
• Oxidation happens quicker

Blending wheatgrass makes more of a slurry than a juice. It still offers great nutritional value, but likely contains a bit less usable nutrients compared to juicing. The fiber content is also higher when blending wheatgrass. This can be good for digestion but too much insoluble fiber at once may cause cramping or bloating.

Tips for Blending Wheatgrass

If you don’t have a juicer, don’t let that stop you from trying wheatgrass! Here are some tips for successfully blending wheatgrass:

1. Use fresh, young wheatgrass

Harvest wheatgrass when it’s 7-10 inches tall for optimal tenderness. Let it grow any longer and it will be tougher to blend.

2. Chop wheatgrass first

Use scissors to cut the wheatgrass into small pieces before adding to the blender. This makes it easier for the blades to handle.

3. Blend in small batches

Don’t overload the blender. Do 1-2 cups of chopped wheatgrass at a time for best results.

4. Add liquid

For a smoother blend, add some water, coconut water or juice like apple juice to help thin it out.

5. Use the tamper

If your blender came with a tamper, use it to push the wheatgrass down into the blades as it blends.

6. Strain if needed

For a smoother drink, pour the blend through a fine mesh strainer or nut milk bag to remove excess fiber.

7. Drink wheatgrass blend immediately

Like all fresh juices, a wheatgrass blend is best consumed right away before nutrients start to degrade.

Nutrition Facts: Wheatgrass Juice vs. Blended Wheatgrass

Here is a nutrition comparison of 1 cup (8 fl oz) of wheatgrass juice made in a juicer vs. blended wheatgrass made in a high-speed blender:

Nutrient	Wheatgrass Juice (8 oz)	Blended Wheatgrass (8 oz)
Calories	60	80
Fat	0.4g	0.8g
Protein	8g	8g
Carbs	12g	15g
Fiber	0.5g	6g
Vitamin A	12% DV	10% DV
Vitamin C	204% DV	180% DV
Iron	10% DV	8% DV
Magnesium	6% DV	4% DV

As you can see, juicing wheatgrass yields a juice with slightly more vitamins and minerals compared to blending it. However, both provide a big boost of nutrients like vitamins A and C.

The Bottom Line

It is possible to blend wheatgrass in a powerful blender to make a thick, fiber-rich wheatgrass blend. However, to separate all the liquid from the pulp and maximize nutrients, a masticating juicer designed specifically for leafy greens like wheatgrass is recommended.

If you don’t mind the texture and grassy taste, blended wheatgrass still provides ample nutrition. Just be aware that it likely contains a bit less nutrients than properly juiced wheatgrass. For best results and the most efficient nutrient extraction, invest in a good masticating juicer.

However, you can certainly still blend wheatgrass at home and enjoy the amazing nutritional benefits. Just look for a high-powered blender that can handle tough greens. And don’t forget to drink your wheatgrass quickly after making it for maximum nutrition.

So in summary, yes you can blend wheatgrass in a regular blender, but for the very best quality wheatgrass juice, a juicer designed for leafy greens and grasses is recommended. Either way, wheatgrass is a super healthy, nutritious addition to your diet!