What are Microgreens?

Microgreens are young vegetable greens that are about 1-3 inches long. As the name suggests, they are much smaller than regular size greens, but that doesn’t mean they don’t pack a punch. These tiny plants have HUGE benefits for you; they are rich in nutrients, which means they can be added to any dish for a health boost. The best part? You can easily grow these on your windowsill and have fresh microgreens whenever you please!

What are the benefits?

On average, microgreens have more nutrients than their fully mature version. Overall, they have been found to have more Vitamin C, Vitamin K1, Vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and manganese than their full-grown counterparts. In addition, some studies have shown that they lower levels of bad cholesterol and help with weight management.

How to eat them?

Microgreens have a very strong flavor, so they are a great way to enhance your dishes. You can add them on top of a pizza, on a sandwich, in a vinaigrette, or mixed into a salad. Stretch your culinary capabilities and experiment where you like them best. Different microgreens have different flavors, so make sure you taste test your greens before adding them to a dish.

Don't get them confused!

Sprouts and microgreens are often confused, but the key difference is in how they are grown. Microgreens are grown in soil with sunlight and water, like a regular plant. Sprouts are placed in water or in a damp paper towel in a warm dark place until they sprout. This makes sprouts susceptible to bacteria and more prone to foodborne illnesses.

How to Grow Microgreens

What you need:

Shallow pots
A sunny spot
Soil

Seeds (your choice, mellow blend is a good place to start)
Water
Patience

How to Plant

Find a spot that will get about 6-8 hours of sunlight.
Fill your pots about two thirds of the way with soil.
Sprinkle your seeds on top of the soil. Cover them up with about 1/2 an inch worth of soil. You can plant these seeds more densely than their full grown counterparts.
Mist the soil with water. You will water every time the soil looks dry.
Microgreens should be ready for harvest about 2-4 weeks later, once small true leaves start to grow.
Cut the stem right above the soil or pull it out with the root attached. Thoroughly rinse and they are ready for consumption!