alfalfa
[C/U] Both
This term evokes the image of lush, green agricultural landscapes and the scent of fresh hay. It is most frequently encountered in the context of farming, animal husbandry, and health food stores, where it is associated with nutrient-dense sprouts. While it is a botanical term, in culinary contexts it carries a connotation of lightness and health, often appearing in salads or sandwiches to add a crisp, earthy texture.
Uncountable when referring to the crop as a mass of vegetation or a food ingredient. Countable when referring to individual plants or specific varieties of the seed.