1. Microgreens: Miniature Marvels of Nutritional Power

Have you ever come across a dish with vibrant, delicate leaves that seem too tiny to be true? Those little wonders are none other than microgreens, a rising star in the world of healthy eating. These tiny greens are packed with flavor, nutrients, and endless culinary possibilities. Let’s explore what microgreens are and why they’ve become such an important addition to our plates.

What Are Microgreens?

Microgreens are essentially young vegetable greens, harvested at a very early stage of growth. They’re like the “baby” version of full-grown greens, often no more than 1 to 3 inches tall. While they may be small in size, they’re gigantic in terms of nutritional value.

Common microgreens include varieties like kale, spinach, arugula, radishes, and many more. The fascinating aspect of these petite plants is their ability to deliver intense flavors and vibrant colors. They come in a rainbow of hues, from deep purples and reds to lush greens and vibrant yellows.

Why Are They Important?

Microgreens aren’t just a fad; they offer a host of benefits that make them a crucial part of a healthy diet.

Nutrient Density: Microgreens are nutrient powerhouses, often containing higher concentrations of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants compared to their mature counterparts. For example, research has shown that red cabbage microgreens can have up to six times more vitamin C than full-grown red cabbage.

Flavor Explosion: These little wonders bring an explosion of flavor to your dishes. You can expect a burst of fresh, intense tastes that can elevate the overall experience of a meal.

Easy to Grow: Microgreens are easily grown at home. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can cultivate a variety of microgreens indoors with minimal effort.

Versatility: Microgreens are incredibly versatile. They can be used in salads, sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, soups, and even as garnishes for various dishes. They add a visual and culinary appeal to your creations.

Local and Sustainable: Growing microgreens at home or sourcing them from local producers promotes sustainability by reducing the need for long-distance transportation and excessive packaging.

Year-Round Access: Thanks to their indoor growth potential, microgreens allow us to enjoy fresh, nutritious greens year-round, regardless of the season.

How to Grow Microgreens:

You shouldnt be intimidated about growing microgreens. They are easy to grow and really don’t need too much heavy lifting to get started. 

All you need is:

• • • The type of seeds you’d like to use

    • Saucer or tray to grow them in. Also something to cover them up to get the sprouts started

    • A medium that works for you. Something like a nice light grow mix or we love using hemp fiber

    • Then add some natural light like a window sill and a heat map to give them some warmth.

       

Once you have your supplies all you need to do is:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Find your seeds, you give them a nice soak in warm water. I’d go with what the seed packet recommends. This helps soften the seed shell and thus accelerate it to sprout. 

            2. After that drain and rinse them. 

            3. Then Spread your medium in your dish. We then will spread our seeds around evenly and press them lightly into the medium

            4. We will cover the dish and spray into the dish daily. Our goal is to make sure it stays moist inside, but not soggy.

            5. After a few days they should have sprouted. That is when we uncover them and put them near our light source.

            6. Continue to keep the medium moist, probably watering/misting once a day.

            7. Once these little guys get about 2-3” you can harvest them using your kitchen scissors.

It is as easy as that and is a great thing to do year round!

As more people embrace the idea of mindful eating and the desire to enhance their diet with nutrient-rich foods, microgreens have become a staple in the world of nutrition. Their compact size belies their massive impact on our well-being, making them an important addition to our culinary landscape. So, the next time you see those tiny, flavorful leaves on your plate, remember that you’re not just eating a garnish – you’re indulging in a miniature marvel of nutritional power.

Need help? Our expert garden team is here for you. Send us an email to help@barnowlgarden.com