Cerophyl: The World's First Multivitamin
In 1927, a young scientist began looking for a food that could increase egg production in chickens. He tried many vegetables without success. But in 1930, he finally made a discovery that led to decades of scientific and medical research. As a result, the scientist, Dr. Charles Schnabel, became known as "the Father of Wheatgrass.”
What is Wheatgrass?
Wheatgrass is the wheat plant after a winter of slow growth in often-freezing temperatures. It reaches its peak nutrition after about 200 days in the early spring when grown in appropriate climates like that of Northeastern Kansas. At this "jointing stage" the plant is about seven inches tall but contains more green vegetable nutrition than spinach, kale or any other dark green, leafy vegetable.
Discovering the most nutrient-dense period was a major part of the work by Schnabel and other scientists. This now well-documented "jointing stage" lasts only for a couple of days, usually in early April when grown in the glacial soils of Northeastern Kansas where Schnabel did his work. His laboratory is still in operation, utilizing modern equipment. Pines International operates it to test its cereal grass and alfalfa crops.
Dr. Schnabel's Midland Facility Today and the New Iowa Facility
Pines International is located where Schnabel built his facility in 1933. The company still uses many of the same fields of glacial soil and operates one of his laboratories today.
Although the Cerophyl brand has not been sold for more than 30 years, Pines Wheat Grass and other products are still produced by following the growing, harvesting, and packaging standards that Schnabel established for Cerophyl.
