Microgreens. Mega-nutritious.
Microgreens 101
What are microgreens?
Microgreens are tiny, immature seedlings of your everyday veggies, herbs and other plants. We germinate ours in an organic base and harvest after only 7 - 14 days, with their size ranging from 2 - 4 inches long. They include only the tender stem and first set of leaves, called the cotyledons. Microgreens come in a variety of tasty flavors, beautiful colors, and crunchy textures.
What is the difference between sprouts and microgreens?
Sprouts are seeds germinated in water and harvested in 3 - 5 days before the true leaves develop. With sprouts, the root and seeds are both eaten. If left unharvested, these would continue to grow, producing the cotyledon (embryonic) leaves and then the first true leaves emerge. The plant is now a microgreen!! These leaves and stems are extremely versatile in use.
Microgreens - a superfood?
Research on 25 different types of microgreens found that they contained 4 to 40 times more nutrients per weight than their mature counterparts (Xiao et al. 2012). This means that their nutrient content is highly concentrated. Microgreens are a rich source of phytonutrients and antioxidants, such as sulforaphane; vitamins such as Vitamin C, A, K and E; and minerals including potassium, zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium and copper. Microgreens are a functional food, meaning they provide key nutrients in a practical way.
What are some common types?
Microgreens are grown from the seeds of your favorite vegetables, herbs and plants. Some of the most popular include broccoli, radish, arugula, cabbage, pea, sunflower, amaranth and beet.