Eating micro greens is a great way to get some extra nutrition and flavor into your diet, but getting started growing and using your own can feel like a daunting task. There are, after all, many micro green varieties and a lot of confusion about the difference between a micro green and a sprout. Here’s everything you need to know about micro green varieties and the best ones to try growing at home.
Micro Greens Vs. Sprouts
A micro green is harvested as a very, very young growth off any edible plant. It is typically between one and one and a half inches long and includes stems and leaves. Micro greens have been around for nearly three decades, and they are rated for sale on a scale of one to five, with five being the best. (Anything less than three is usually not sold). Sprouts are germinated seeds, or an infant plant stem, often germinated in water and harvested only four to six days after sprouting. Microgreens are harvested later in the plant’s growth stage when the first true leaves have appeared.
What’s So Good About Microgreens?
The best part of a microgreen is that it contains all the nutrition of the mature plant but in a tiny, easy-to-eat package. They’re also packed with flavor. This combo means they’re easier to incorporate into meals and dishes, and you can get nutrition from a handful of petite micro greens that you’d have to eat a whole lot of fully-grown plant to obtain.
What Micro Green Varieties Should I Try?
If you’re buying your micro greens, the sky’s the limit! Just be sure to store them in a closed container at no lower than 38 degrees and not greater than 40. If you want to grow your own, however, there are some micro green varieties that are especially easy to grow. Garnet giant mustard, bright lights swiss chard, cilantro, and hong vit radish micro green varieties usually produce dense stands that are simple to harvest. They also have good flavor and come in a range of colors. It’s also worth trying micro green varieties in a pre-mixed blend. These have usually been chosen because they offer good growth results and good nutritional variety.
Microgreens are a great addition to any healthy diet. Try some in smoothies, on a pizza, as a salad or burger topping, or in an omelet and see how their flavor enhances any food. You can also rest assured knowing you’re getting great nutrition as you do.
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