Microgreens are a low-maintenance method of growing leafy greens for your kitchen. These tiny plants are higher in nutrients and have a more robust flavor than sprouts. These delectable leaves are also beneficial for your health! Here are six compelling reasons to give them a try. Read on to learn more. Listed below are some helpful tips for cultivating them. This article explains how they grow and what their flavor is like.
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They’re a type of leafy green
There are a few key steps to starting a garden of microgreens.
- First, microgreens thrive well in small containers. You can use clamshell takeout containers, aluminum pie trays, or plastic fruit pots.
- Make sure the bottom of the container has holes in it so water will drain.
- Use a damp paper towel to protect the soil from leaking.
- Place seeds about an inch apart in these containers.
- After they have rooted, cover with soil and water thoroughly.
Microgreens are a relatively new category of vegetables. They are young, fragile greens harvested as their first leaves develop. Additionally, they’re also an excellent way to help the environment, as they can be grown year-round in greenhouses and even urban spaces. Microgreens are an excellent way to enhance your diet due to their high nutritional content. Add a handful to your next salad for the most bright, aromatic greens.
Sea asparagus is another leafy green to consider. This edible vegetable has a slightly briny taste. These greens are harvested from palm-sized pods, and each pod holds a few beans. Sea bean growth is comparable to that of other microgreens. Along with soil and sunlight, they’ll need to be soaked overnight. Microgreens grow best when cultivated in a container with a drainage system.
They’re nutrient-dense
Sprouting increases the concentration of nutrient-dense compounds in the microgreens. Microgreens produced from seeds are nutrient-dense foods ready to eat within 1-4 weeks. They can be eaten fresh or lightly cooked after being plucked directly from the root. You can even consume the entire plant. Sprouting microgreens has many benefits, ranging from their health benefits to their versatility in salads.
One of the benefits of microgreens is that they grow without special tools. Everything you need is readily available in your kitchen or at a local home gardening supply store. You can purchase a microgreen seed mix if you want to cultivate microgreens in a commercially available container. It’s critical to keep your growing medium clean and easily accessible so that the microgreens can grow in optimal conditions.
Another benefit of microgreens is their high phytonutrient content. Phytonutrients such as vitamin C and carotenoids are found in this plant-based food. These compounds contribute to the strengthening of the immune system. Additionally, these phytonutrients contain enzymes that boost the body’s ability to fight viruses and bacteria. Consuming an excessive amount of a certain food can actually have the opposite effect. Microgreens, on the other hand, are highly nutritious and can help in getting rid of toxins from your body.
Microgreens also have a high antioxidant and nutrient content. According to a study conducted by the University of Maryland and the USDA, red cabbage microgreens has 4x more than the amount of antioxidants and vitamin E found in red cabbage, while yellow and orange veggies contained higher concentrations of lutein-zeaxanthin and beta carotene. These compounds contribute to the brain’s protection against injury. They also help in the regeneration of neurons in the brain.
They’re easy to grow
Don’t worry if you’ve never grown microgreens before. They’re simple to cultivate and don’t require a lot of care. Simply plant them densely, 1/4 inch apart, and lightly cover them with the medium. Check to see if the soil is damp. Because microgreens are so small, they don’t require much fertilizer, but a water-soluble fertilizer or root-stimulating nutrient solution applied to the first watering can assist.
Harvesting microgreens is easy. The growing medium dries faster than typical plants, so you should water them daily. Most micros can be watered by bottom watering. This method keeps the stems and leaves from getting wet. Simply use a growing tray with holes on the bottom or a clean sink or basin with several inches of water. Fill the tray with water and wait for several minutes. Some microgreens are ready within a week, while others may take 30 days.
Microgreens require at least 10 hours of light to grow. Along with light, they need approximately six hours of darkness. The two periods help in simulating your microgreens’ normal day-night cycle. When you plant them on a windowsill, their stems tend to bend toward the light, so be sure to rotate the tray so that each side of the window receives equal lighting.
They have a stronger flavor than sprouts
Most people are unaware of the distinction between microgreens and sprouts. Both are seedlings. In comparison to sprouts cultivated in soil, microgreens are harvested just above the soil line and transported directly to retailers. The distinction is in the flavor and texture. Microgreens have a stronger flavor and texture than sprouts. If you prefer a stronger flavor, mustard is a good choice.
Microgreens are frequently used as a garnish or condiment due to their brilliant colors and texture. Their flavor and appearance enhance the complexity of a wide variety of dishes and are associated with high-end culinary creations. While sprouts are more commonly eaten from the seed, microgreens are not as tender. Microgreens can be added to your favorite recipes to boost their nutritional value. They also make excellent salad and soup garnishes.
Experts have studied microgreens’ nutritional value at the University of Maryland. They discovered that they can contain between three and 39.4 times the amount of nutrients present in fully grown plants. They compared the vitamin content of 25 different microgreen types to full-grown plants. Cilantro, red cabbage, and dandelion sprouts contained three times the beta-carotene and nearly four times the vitamin E levels, respectively.
They’re high in vitamins.
Microgreens, unlike their adult counterparts, do not require re-planting every couple of weeks. Peas, for example, have twice the folic acid content of broccoli. Folic acid is an essential nutrient for young females. Broccoli microgreens have a milder flavor than mature vegetables. Their bitterness is caused by a compound known as sulforaphane, which is also believed to fight cancer cells. These delicious greens are rich in vitamins A, C, and K and sprout in about a week.
Microgreens also have the ability to fight cancer, osteoporosis, and diabetes. They contain polyphenols, carotenoids, and antioxidants, all of which provide essential nutrients to the body. Because they are high in vitamins and minerals, microgreens are an excellent snack during the cold and flu season. If you’re in the mood for a salad or soup, you might want to experiment with a few microgreens to see if they can brighten your day.
Pea shoots, also known as “microgreens,” are a delicious, high-protein, low-calorie source of essential nutrients. They’re also a tasty addition to salads and stir-fry dishes. Pea shoots are high in fiber, and vitamin A. Microgreens are a great source of vitamin E as well. They are high in folic acid, which is a building block for the human body.
They’re great for smoothies
There are many benefits of microgreens in smoothies. These microgreens are an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals found in a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. The best varieties are often used in smoothies. Microgreens are an excellent source of protein and other nutrients, as well as calcium, iron, lecithin, and pantothenic acid. Additionally, they can even be substituted for other ingredients, such as iceberg lettuce.
When choosing which greens to use, make sure they don’t have a high oxalic acid content. This can cause stomach upsets if you consume the same type of vegetables every day. Sunflower microgreens, for instance, are renowned for their nutty and sweet taste. They blend well with bananas, frozen peaches, lemons, and apples. Additionally, they are high in fiber.
You can add microgreens to your smoothie to make it more nutrient-dense. Pea microgreens, wheatgrass powder, and maca powder are some of the most popular green beauty ingredients. They also improve the flavor of smoothies. A good tip is to blend the greens with other ingredients to make a nutritious smoothie. You can also play around with different flavors. The mango ginger microgreens smoothie is a popular choice. It’s high in nutrients and tastes like a fruity treat.