Have you heard of microgreens?
No, I am not talking about the green leafy vegetables.
Microgreens – They have nothing to do with microbes, however you would be left amazed at the nutrient value they offer to your general health.
I can never overstress the knowledge of our tradition makers, in Tamilnadu and in Chhattisgarh too there is this custom of growing seedlings during temple festivities.
These 14 days old seedlings are the hot and happening microgreens that we are going to have a look at today.
The Tiny-Fication and MicroGreens
As a change in food, we have slowly come to accept the tiny-fication of many vegetables we consume – baby lettuce, baby squash, oh yes!baby corn and so on. Not alone are these baby sizes preferred for their cute look but also their size makes them more easily consumable and tasty too.
Now, is the time of these juvenile plants.
Hmm, so you are thinking I am speaking of sprouts (may be in a different language) well, no, I really am speaking of 7 to 15 days old plants. They are so small and young that they are called Microgreens.
What Is So Special
For one, these tiny plants contain all the frangrance, flavors and also the taste of the plant they are going to become.
Secondly – in about just 14 days they are so hugely filled with nutrients you would do anything to get.
A research conducted by USDA by Gene Lester, and his colleagues at University of Maryland, College Park, have confirmed that the microgreens actually are packed with nutrients.
The researchers looked at four groups of vitamins and other phytochemicals – including vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene — in 25 varieties of microgreens. They found that leaves from almost all of the microgreens had four to six times more nutrients than the mature leaves of the same plant.
and Thirdy – you could use them to garnish anything from Indian soups to Chinese food to Italian pizzas. They go with everything, just as the vegetable does.
Nutritional Information
Microgreens are found to be the actual nutrient hub of vegetables. The studies are in their begining phases and yet they have been so positive.
In the paper published in ARS Magazine Gene Lester claims that the total vitamin C content ranged from 20 to 147 milligrams (mg) per 100 grams of cotyledon fresh weight, depending on which plant species was being tested. The amounts of the carotenoids beta-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, and violaxanthin ranged from about 0.6 mg to 12.1 mg per 100 grams of fresh weight.
Red Cabbage
In the microgreen stage red cabbage has 6 times more vitamin C, 40 times more vitamin E and 69 times more vitamin K
Cilantro
Higher carotenoids, lutein/zeaxanthin and violaxanthin and almost a times higher beta-carotene
Amaranthus
Highest in vitamin K1 compared to other juvenile plants
Radish
Highest in vitamin E compared to other microgreens
Lettuce
Highest concentration of antioxidants and phenolic compounds.
Sunflower
Packed with protein, it has 24 to 30 percent more protein than its grown counterpart.
How To Go About It
Now that you have understood the nutritional value, begin growing your own microgreens.
- Take a shallow container, fill in the potting mixture that is prepared as I have explained earlier.
- Water lightly, and spread seeds of your favorite veggie.
- Add another layer of potting mixture – small layer would do, just to keep too much light from penetrating in.
- Close the container or tray and let it rest in dark for a day, then after you see the seeds sprouted you can put it in your window sill where you feel you get the best sunlight.
I know many of you have been repeatedly worried about not having space for growing even vertically, this is your chance to eat nutritionally.
Well, if you still find it difficult, you can buy microgreens from SIM Organics, we are just a mail away.
However, seeing the ease of growing microgreens I would strongly recommend you to grow them.
Thanks
Thanks Lata
Thanks Rooshna
Glad I could tell you about microgreens
Thanks Shalz!
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks Reema!
The container has to be covered Cheryl
thanks
Thanks
Microgreens are new to may, but the nutrition it has is really wonderful
Thanks Priya
Thanks Isheria, Microgreens are the latest these days
thanks Afsha
It is doable Smita, just take some time to do it.
Wow! I am super excited Kathleen. Thanks a ton
You must harvest them and consume for more benefits in microgreens stage
You must try Sara, they are so much nutritious that you would fall in love with them
Ha ha, There are quite a lot of other ways you could use them, You know there is a powerhouse of nutrients there
Thanks a ton Kathleen I am really glad
Thanks a ton Katie. I am glad I could share some knowledge with you.
This is such a fantastic post. I really didn’t know anything about microgreens before reading this post. I love that you included how to go about growing them. I totally want to try and do that!
Thanks so much for all this terrific info. Will be sharing this! Also liked your FB page!🌷
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Menaka, This interesting post made the most-clicked list on the Blogger’s Pit Stop. Congratulations. Be looking for a feature on Friday.
Kathleen
The Blogger’s Pit Stop
How I hate all those green stuffs you mentioned. I am fine by Lettuce if its in my burger, but otherwise, NO!
However, yes, they are rich in nutrition and one should adopt them in their diet.
Microgreens is a new word and concept to me. I’ve heard of sprouts but growing them to 14-days is quite new.
Should be interesting to see if I can grow something healthily for that long. ^_^
Zooming by via The Blogger’s Pit Stop.
Thanks cathy! I am glad i could introduce microgreens to you
Thats true, it is not yet common
Really informative and I didn’t have a clue about microgreens beforehand so it was good for me to find out more, thank you
Mainy
I knew nothing about micro-greens. Thanks for educating me. Will need to include them in our diet!
I’ve never thought of harvesting my vegetables as microgreens – thanks for the information!
Ahh this sounds interesting, though doable will have to be checked, i guess will have to commit to it as it will take some effort i can see. Thanks for sharing it was very informative
Some amazing tips
I have never heard of them before. for a moment there, i did have the thought…10 days old babies! but, i see your point about 6 times more nutrition! and the way you have explained how to grow them – makes it sound super easy! even for a aspiring-struggling green thumb like myself!
This is an informative article completly new to this topic need to gather more info now
https://rattlebabblebattle.wordpress.com/2017/04/17/toy-review-fisher-price-babys-first-blocks-and-snap-lock-beads/
Wow! I’d never heard of microgreens! And yes, I thought of sprouts too! 😛
I think I might be able to give this a try definitely. Thanks for sharing, Menaka!
Btw, I just published my O post @ A to Z of Happiness: Optimism.
Do visit it.
Happy AtoZing!
Very informative post! 🙂
Would like to grow these, sounds fun.
Do you leave the container covered after the seeds sprout? Or cover it so it is a baby greenhouse?
This is useful information. And yes these micrgreens seem easy to grow too.
Hey i had not heard of Micro greens. Such an interesting and informative article. Thanks for sharing ☺️
Sharing our experiences recently posted https://www.sharingourexperiences.com/what-i-want-my-husband-to-be-in-order-to-be-an-ideal-father/
This is such an informative post. I love Amaranthus. I should try growing these in my kitchen garden.
O.. I didn’t know about these little plants being called, ‘Microgreens’… Thanks for sharing the information 🙂
Cheers
Oh wow this looks like a novel concept. Thanx for th detailed post👍
That was an eye opener! I didn’t care much about growing anything but cilantro, but I will look into it now!
Sounds interesting. This is something new to me.
Do grow them Suzy, you sure will not regret.
Interesting post and informative. You’ve piqued my interest in microgreens and for growing them too.
Thanks for stopping by Jazz
Thanks Roma
I didn’t know the power of micro green dears. This post has enriched my knowledge.
Ha ha! Tru, it is politically right now to eat babies…just check if they are organically produced..
Try growing Tina, Its fun
Lovely I really am glad you are growing your microgreens
Tiny food might be convenient at time. My sister always buy tiny watermellons, because she lives by herslef and a real watermellons would waste.
I normally dont’ really care for tiny food, honestly 😉
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – 1940s Film Noir
We grow our own Microgreens and I so understand what you mean about being good for health.
Love the presentation and the information of your post, MB.
That’s wonderful, we have amarenthus quite often, haven’t grown them though
Finally its ‘politically’ correct to eat babies 😉
Try growing the Roshan, They taste too good
Very useful topic. Yes, we often forget about microgreens because we are focusing on the regular GLV and other veggies in the garden.