Microgreens: Big Flavor, Bigger Nutrition
Microgreens have become a beloved staple item in our rotating SLO Veg harvest boxes. We are lucky to source ours from local producer, Green Gold Organic Farm, a family run farm in beautiful Hausna Valley, CA. And one of the best parts? These greens are coming to you in 100% compostable packaging!
Microgreens are green vegetables and herbs that are harvested at the cotyledon growth stage. Because microgreens are harvested within 10-14 days post-germination, they’ve had time to do some biochemical magic which result in nutrient contents four to six times more concentrated than their full-grown counterpart. These biochemical processes involve freeing up amino acids, simple sugars from starch, and fatty acids which allows for our bodies to metabolize these nutrients efficiently with minimal energy on our end. This is why microgreens pack a lot of flavor, have higher fiber content, and are higher in nutrition. Microgreens also require minimal sunlight and space to grow, making it easy to grow your own plants in your kitchen. Gracious Greens Farms produces an array of different microgreens and we wanted to share with you some of our favorites:
Sunflower
We all know and love sunflower seeds…but these sunflower microgreens are about to rock your world. Like the seeds, these greens possess a nutty flavor while maintaining a crunchy texture. Sunflower microgreens are high in protein, fiber, and unsaturated fat making them a rich source of fuel that will make a substantial impact of the nutrient composition of your meal. To give a little perspective, there are about 200 calories and 16 grams of unsaturated fat in just a quarter cup of these greens. With that, these make for filling salads and are a delicious addition to soups, sandwiches, and pizzas. Sunflower microgreens also contain impressive amounts of vitamins A, B, C, and E as well as trace minerals such as zinc, iron, copper, and manganese. All these compounds have profound antioxidative, developmental, and anti-inflammatory properties as well as aiding in arterial health to help reduce blood pressure.
Tatsoi
Tatsoi, a japanese spinach, produces microgreens that are wonderfully sweet and mild in flavor, making it a great choice as a base for any microgreen salad and enhancing the flavor of other greens which it is mixed with.
“Wasabi Fire” Cho Kara
Cho Kara is a bitter, earthy, and spicy microgreen with forest-green and ivory stems. If you are a hot mustard lover, this robust mustard-flavored varietal is for you! The flavor shines through when used in salads and sushi.
Pea Shoots
Pea shoots were long prominent in Asian cuisine before making their way into American farmers markets and kitchens. The soft leaves, curly-cue tendrils and watery stems hold the promise of spring peas as well as the delicate flavor of them too. Pea shoots can easily be swapped in a recipe for any soft, leafy green. When cooked, pea shoots are similar to baby spinach and just as versatile. Pea shoots are also well enjoyed raw in a salad or sandwich. They can also be stir fried, added to a pasta dish, or sprinkled on top of pizza.
Crimson Tide Mustard
This microgreen varietal is beautiful with purple and green multicolor leaves and fast growing. It has a sometimes not-so-subtle Wasabi flavor to it, which is more predominant when the plant is grown in a warmer environment. Crimson Tide Mustard is a fantastic addition to sandwiches, any fish dish, marinades, or appetizers. The Wasabi flavor adds a nice zingy flavor without being overpowering.
Sources Used:
https://www.chefs-garden.com/blog/march-2018/miracles-of-microgreens-benefits-and-much-more
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