Are you familiar with microgreens, the tiny and nutritious young shoots of vegetables and aromatic herbs?
If you’re passionate about your health, you won’t want to miss out on these superfoods that offer an array of remarkable benefits.
Packed with an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and powerful antioxidants, microgreens surpass their mature plant counterparts in nutritional value.
Whether you have a garden or live in an apartment, growing these nutrient powerhouses can significantly enhance your organic functioning.
Let’s explore what microgreens are and how easy it is to cultivate them for optimal health benefits.
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Discover the incredible health benefits of microgreens – nutrient-packed and easy to grow at home. Enhance your well-being with these tiny superfoods today!
What are microgreens?
They are simply young seedlings of plants, vegetables, or herbs, harvested at an early shoot stage.
Grown on potting soil and exposed to light, they reach a height of 1 to 3 inches, depending on the variety.
Surprisingly, these tiny greens offer four to six times more nutrients than their fully-grown counterparts.
Delightful culinary enhancers
Microgreens aren’t just nutritious; they’re also delightful culinary additions.
Their aromatic intensity and vibrant colors make them perfect for enhancing soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and even desserts.
You can get creative by incorporating them into smoothies and fresh juices too!
Incredible health benefits
The health benefits of microgreens are truly remarkable.
These young greens are rich in essential nutrients such as potassium, zinc, iron, copper, and magnesium.
Studies show that they can deliver up to 40 times more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than their mature counterparts, with variations based on the species grown.
Improved heart health, cholesterol control, and intestinal well-being are just some of the advantages these superfoods offer.
They even play a prebiotic role, promoting a healthy gut flora and contributing to overall dermatological and skin health.
How to Cultivate Microgreens
Growing microgreens is surprisingly easy and can be done without soil.
While they are typically grown on potting soil or peat, you can also use a mixture of vermiculite (natural mineral) and perlite (volcanic rock) or even germinate them on paper towels.
For indoor cultivation, 3-inch peat pots or any suitable container placed on a sunny windowsill will do the trick.
How to grow microgreens indoors without soil
It is possible to grow microgreens in 3 inch peat pots or any other container of the same size and then place them on a sunny window sill to ensure germination and plant growth.
You should know that germination requires a minimum temperature of 70°F.
If you cannot reach this ambient temperature, it is recommended to use a seedling heating mat like this one (ad).
Failing that, placing a heating pad under the tray of pots can also help with germination.
How to grow microgreens hydroponically
Hydroponics is the act of growing plants without the use of soil, by immersing only the roots in water.
The first method consists of placing the plants in a pot and then soaking the roots in a diluted fertilizer solution.
The second results in the use of a hydroponic culture kit which serves as a support for the buckets and stirs the nutrient solution through a pump.
Growth is accelerated.
Hydroponics is ideal for growing microgreens indoors but it is best to choose a growing kit with a light source (ad) as this process does not remove the need for light necessary for plant growth.
Where to find microgreen seeds
Finding microgreen seeds is relatively simple.
You can reach out to local farms, nearby garden centers, or health food stores.
Additionally, you can easily find seeds online through platforms like Amazon (#d).
Delicious ways to enjoy microgreens
Microgreens can be savored in various ways.
For a delightful crunch, freshness, and flavor, consume them as is, without any preparation.
Sprinkle them over pizzas, omelets, or pasta to add a burst of taste.
Enhance your salads, sandwiches, or soups with these flavorful greens.
The possibilities are endless!
Finding the right quantity
The ideal daily quantity of microgreens can vary depending on your overall diet and meal choices.
On average, consuming around 25 grams per day is recommended, but feel free to adjust this according to your individual needs.
Health highlights of popular microgreens
Consider growing cilantro microgreens, which are rich in beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, essential for eye health and overall organ function.
Radish microgreens deliver a plethora of nutrients, including proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, promoting various bodily functions and inflammation reduction.
Sunflower microgreens boast a wealth of vitamins, particularly A, B6, C, D, E, and K, along with folic acid, iron, potassium, and magnesium, which contribute to improved muscle, neurological, cardiac functions, and immune regulation.
Harvesting and storing microgreens
These superfoods are incredibly easy to harvest, typically ready for cutting two to three weeks after sowing.
Once you spot the first leaves, it’s time to harvest them at ground level.
For storage, refrigeration is ideal and can preserve their freshness for up to a week.
Wrap them in a paper towel and place them in a zipped bag in the vegetable drawer at 4 to 6°C.
Kickstart your microgreens journey
Embark on the microgreens journey with a microgreens starter kit (ad), which simplifies the growing process, especially if you’re new to gardening.
As you gain experience and passion, you might explore specialized home grow kits or even professional kits for intensive cultivation.
Why consider microgreens
Embracing microgreens offers you a host of health benefits at an affordable cost.
Don’t worry if you’re not a seasoned gardener; they are easy to grow and can thrive in any home.
If you prefer not to cultivate them yourself, you can find them at specialized microgreens growers, farms, or organic stores.
Microgreens list
You can grow many varieties of vegetables, herbs, and plants.
The 10 most recommended to start with are:
– radishes
– cilantro
– broccoli
– beet
– arugula
– cress
– cabbage
– basil
– carrot
– celery
Of course, this list is not exhaustive, you can be as creative as with the vegetables and aromatic herbs you use every day in your meals.
The list is endless.
But some strains like the ones listed are easier to grow by not requiring sustained attention.
Microgreens prices
If you want to test these superfoods before you start growing them, you will notice that their price varies between $25 and $40 per 500 grams depending on the variety.
Don’t miss out on the power of microgreens
With their impressive nutritional content and delightful flavors, microgreens are a must-try addition to your daily diet.
Whether you grow them at home or source them from reputable sellers, these miniature superfoods can significantly enhance your overall well-being.
So, don’t hesitate – start incorporating microgreens into your meals today!
