Vegetable and herb seedlings are microgreens. They are a new variety of speciality vegetable that can be grown at home from vegetable, herb, or grain seeds or purchased from stores.
The names of these little plants should seem familiar to you even though there are many different kinds of microgreens you may purchase or cultivate at home, including beets, Swiss chard, broccoli, mustard, arugula, amaranth, and peas. Simply put, these veggies and herbs in their tiny sprout stage are what are known as microgreens.
Microgreens come in over sixty different varieties. Microgreens are soft and full of taste, and they not only give salads, soups, and sandwiches a nutritious boost.
What Are Microgreens?
Microgreens, which fall between between a sprout and a baby green, are regarded as young plants.
They should not be confused with sprouts, though, as they lack leaves. While microgreens are typically harvested 7–21 days after germination, when the plant’s first true leaves have appeared, sprouts have a significantly shorter growth cycle of 2–7 days.
Only the stems and leaves of microgreens are thought to be edible, making them more comparable to baby greens. They are much smaller than baby greens, though, and can be sold even before they are plucked.
Because they may be purchased whole and trimmed at home, the plants can be kept alive until they are consumed.
Microgreens may be grown in a variety of places, including outdoors, in greenhouses, and even on your windowsill, making them incredibly convenient to grow.
What Are the Health Benefits of Microgreens?
In the recent years, microgreens have gained popularity, and there is currently a lot of research being done to discover all the health advantages that these little plants have.
Microgreens may contain up to 40% more phytochemicals (healthy nutrients and components) than their full-grown counterparts, according to preliminary studies.
Despite their diminutive size, these tiny greens are incredibly rich in potent vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that support health.
Rich in nutrients
Numerous goods made from fresh plants offer fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
These nutrients may be useful for:
- enhancing wellbeing and physical and mental health
- controlling weight
- avoiding various illnesses
All of these advantages, as well as others, may be provided by microgreens.
Might help fight cancer
Although further research is needed, some preliminary data suggests that sulforaphane, a substance present in particularly high concentrations in broccoli sprouts, may aid in the prevention of cancer.Can lower blood pressure
Microgreens are rich in both fiber and vitamin K, two essential nutrients that can assist in keeping a healthy blood pressure, in addition to other vitamins and minerals.Can support gut health
When consumed as a part of a healthy, balanced diet, foods high in dietary fiber, such as microgreens, help reduce constipation or other gastrointestinal pain. Additionally, studies show that dietary fiber acts as a ” prebiotic,” or a substance that fosters the growth of the “good” bacteria in the human microbiome.Can help lower cholesterol
According to a study, red cabbage microgreens reduce levels of inflammatory cytokines, liver cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol, all of which can raise your risk for heart disease.Is Eating Them Risky?
In general, eating microgreens is safe.
The chance of food contamination is a worry, though. However, compared to sprouts, the possibility of bacterial growth in microgreens is substantially lower.
Compared to sprouts, microgreens need slightly less warmth and humidity, and only the leaf and stem—not the root or seed—are eaten.
To that end, if you intend to cultivate microgreens at home, it’s critical to obtain seeds from a trustworthy source and pick growing mediums free of contamination by dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli.
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How To Grow and Use Microgreens
Microgreens, which resemble sprouts greatly, are simple to grow on a tiny scale at home. They can be grown all year round on a windowsill or in another sunny location, and they don’t take very long to grow (usually about a week).
Simply sow some seeds of the microgreens or sprouts you want to grow, and water them as needed. Online resources abound with instructions on how to cultivate or sprout a variety of microgreens.
These superfoods are simple to grow and a wonderful way to engage kids in small-scale food production. These little kid-sized leaves are fun for kids to sprinkle on their own salads or sandwiches. It’s important to taste before adding a whole handful of microgreens because some of them have stronger flavors than their larger counterparts. Maybe a little goes a long way.
Microgreens can easily be included into dishes to maximize their nutritional value because they are small and tender. Microgreens shouldn’t be cooked due to their small size and high water content, but be sure to wash them first.
Here are several ideas for applying microgreens:
- Mix to create a smoothie.
- use as a garnish on pasta or soup
- for a sandwich’s added texture.
- Decorate hummus and other dips.
- Include a salad
- sprinkle over cooked meat or fish
- Add to omelets or scrambled eggs
Bottom Line
Microgreens are tasty and simple to include in your diet in a number of ways.
Additionally, they are typically incredibly nutritious and may even lower your chance of contracting specific ailments.
They’re a particularly affordable option to increase nutrient intake without having to buy a lot of vegetables because they’re simple to cultivate at home.
They should therefore be a valuable addition to your diet.
