Green Energy Boost

Cheers to shots of wheatgrass

Not every shot that’s sold in Wilmington is followed by a beer chaser. More and more people are shooting wheatgrass, a highly concentrated form of nutrients juiced from the sprouts of wheat berries. Packed with chlorophyll and antioxidants, fresh wheatgrass juice is sold at Lovey’s Natural Foods and Tidal Creek Co-op, both of which purchase the grass from Progressive Gardens.

“Wheatgrass is alkaline, so it helps to balance and detoxify the body,” said Marie Montemurro, co-owner of Lovey’s Natural Foods.

She said that people with cancer and other illnesses will benefit from drinking wheatgrass juice, but others who want to live a healthy lifestyle should also do so.

“One reason we have disease is that people are disconnected from the nutritional value of food. Wheatgrass, which can be grown indoors, is very potent,” said Ryan Folds, owner of Progressive Gardens.

Montemurro said most of her customers drink a one-ounce shot several times a day, which costs $2 per shot.

How to grow wheatgrass:

Buy a kit online, locally at Progressive Gardens or assemble your own. Wheat berries are sold in bulk at Tidal Creek Co-op.

Day 1. Soak the wheat berries in water for 12 to 24 hours. 

Day 2. Drain the berries and rinse thoroughly. Let the berries sit for another 24 hours until the root tip emerges. Gently stir occasionally.

Day 3. Prepare potting medium in a flat tray with holes and place inside a flat tray without holes. Pour about one quart of water into the tray. Spread the sprouted berries evenly over the medium and mist. Keep the seeds moist. Place a humidity dome over the flat of berries and place in sunlight.

Days 4-5. Allow seeds to grow undisturbed.

Days 6-7. Pour about one quart of water into the bottom tray. Water every other day.

Days 8-14. Allow wheatgrass to grow to 6 or 7 inches in height. Harvest with scissors and juice with a wheatgrass juicer. A standard vegetable juicer will not work.