Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is the young leaf of common wheat, Triticum aestivum, cut before the plant forms its stem joints and grain. It is grown outdoors over winter in the US Midwest or indoors on trays, then either dried and milled whole into leaf powder or juiced and the juice spray-dried or freeze-dried. Brands buy the powders for greens blends, capsules and drink mixes.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Dried, milled young leaves, keeping the fiber.
Pressed juice dried by spray or freeze drying, with less fiber and more concentrated color.
Field- or tray-grown wheatgrass under organic certification, with the certificate tied to the lot.
Powder tested for gluten by ELISA for brands planning a gluten-free label claim.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Store powder sealed in lined, light-proof containers, cool and dry. Chlorophyll fades and the powder yellows with light, heat and oxygen, and it cakes in humidity. Shelf life comes from the supplier's spec.
Color, moisture and microbial counts vary with harvest timing and drying. Record supplier lot, growing method and gluten result, and rotate first-expiry-first-out.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Triticum aestivum (POL-NF-00759) records a Finnish authority conclusion that young shoots of wheat (wheatgrass) are not novel, and lists juice from young shoots as not novel in food.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Distributor · Sacramento, CA
Starwest Botanicals is a Sacramento company that mills and sells bulk organic herbs, spices, teas and botanical powders by the pound and in 25 lb bags, with wholesale accounts for businesses.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include whole leaf powder, juice powder, organic and gluten-tested grade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect gluten (ELISA), chlorophyll or color, heavy metals, microbiology, pesticide residues and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Store powder sealed in lined, light-proof containers, cool and dry. Chlorophyll fades and the powder yellows with light, heat and oxygen, and it cakes in humidity. Shelf life comes from the supplier's spec.
The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Triticum aestivum (POL-NF-00759) records a Finnish authority conclusion that young shoots of wheat (wheatgrass) are not novel, and lists juice from young shoots as not novel in food.
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