Heavenly Homestead
What is a Microgreen?
Microgreens are basically infant plants falling between a sprout and a baby green. Whereas sprouts have a growing cycle of approximately 2-7 days, microgreens are usually harvested 1-3 weeks after germination and the plant’s first real leaves have sprouted. Additionally, the potential for bacteria growth is much smaller in microgreens than in sprouts. At the same time, microgreens often contain levels of nutrients far greater than their grown up counterparts.
Packed with Nutrients
Microgreens are a clever way to extract maximum nutrition from a plant prior to it using up all of its nutrients for energy to grow into a mature adult. A plant in the microgreen stage can contain as much as 40 times more nutrients than its fully grown form. They are packed with potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium and copper.
Various species of microgreens will have different nutrients, so eating a combination of them is a great way to get all of the nutrients that you need. Due to their high concentration of vitamins, microgreens may reduce the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. They also have the added benefits of improving digestion and boosting immune functions.
Adding Flavor
Due to their health value, microgreens have been steadily gaining popularity as a superfood. However, they initially made their reputation as trendy vegetable garnishes in high-end restaurants. Plants in this stage of development are very aromatic and rich in both flavor and color. The flavors of different microgreens can vary from spicy, sour, bitter, or neutral. Generally, they are known for having have a strong, concentrated flavor profile that is remarkably different than that of their mature forms.
