Microgreens are said to be the new superfoods that anyone can easily grow. But how healthy are these tiny vegetables really? And what do you need to grow microgreens yourself?
Microgreens is a term that spills over to us from America and is making ever bigger waves. As is so often the case, behind the modern-sounding name is a well-known German term: seedlings.
The difference to typical seedlings is that microgreens are harvested a little later, depending on the definition, until one or two more leaves have grown next to the first or second cotyledon.
Microgreens: Vegetables in miniature
Microgreens are actually nothing more than “late harvested” seedlings of vegetables that we usually put on our plates in large format: broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, herbs,…
The “vegetables in infancy” are said to be a kind of superfood and anyone who has tried them will be surprised to find: the micro-vegetables have a completely different aroma than in “adulthood”.
For example, if you don’t like broccoli in its full-grown form, you might find the tender seedlings very tasty. But is there more to it than a new taste experience?
How do you prepare microgreens?
To benefit from the high vitamin content, microgreens should be eaten raw. However, they are often much more intense – or at least different in taste – than the adult vegetables. Microgreens are therefore often used primarily for seasoning or decoration.
Vegetables or herbs in mini format are very suitable as a salad ingredient, topping on soups or vegetable dishes and also as an ingredient in smoothies and other raw food dishes.
Even the boring bread and butter is sprinkled with it to become an eye-catcher and taste experience. Once you start growing the seedlings, you will always come up with new preparation ideas.
Where can you buy microgreens?
The advantage of sprouts is actually that they are particularly fresh on the plate. That’s why microgreens are extremely rare to buy.
You can grow microgreens yourself. They grow even in the smallest city apartment on the windowsill and even in winter. Growing seedlings of all kinds yourself is fun and you can do your personal “micro-vegetable cultivation” according to your own taste preferences.
