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Microgreens – the mini nutritional miracles
Despite their tiny size, Microgreens pack a mighty nutritional punch and often contain higher nutrient levels than more mature vegetables and herbs.
This makes them a great addition to any diet.
But what exactly are they? Microgreens are common vegetables and herbs that are grown and then harvested just a few days after germination and are SO much more than a ‘pretty garnish’. They typically consist of a stem, the first two leaves, called cotyledons and can originate from a wide variety of vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, watercress, radish, rocket, lettuce, radishes, dill, carrot, fennel, celery, swiss chard, beet and spinach.
Their highly concentrated nutrient content includes a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. And if that wasn’t enough, they are exceedingly rich in flavour that is usually stronger and more distinct than fully matured vegetable or herb. For example, Broccoli which is high in vitamin C, A and minerals is, as a Microgreen, up to 40 times more nutritious than its grown up counter part. High amounts of vitamin C, A and minerals. They also contain flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that counteract free radicals that can damage tissue, DNA and proteins in your body.
So how can you enjoy Microgreens, micro herbs and edible flowers such as honeysuckle, nasturtiums, pansies and geraniums?
Naturally they are delicious in salads, but they are also perfect in wraps, stirfrys and as beautiful AND nutritious side dishes. So there really is no excuse not to try them, we did and they are a fantastically fun way for kids to enjoy their food too.
One of our favourite local suppliers are Lusso Leaf who grow fresh Microgreens.
Sarah and Richard are truly passionate about what they do and have an amazing knowledge on the topic. They have created a farm that breaks many conventions. It is based entirely indoors and uses efficient vertical farming techniques to produce significantly more crops per square metre than is possible with traditional farming practices. With complete control of the growing environment – lighting, temperature, humidity and watering – they are able to minimise the impact on the environment without compromising the quality or nutritional integrity of the products they grow. Win win we say!
Some of our favourites:
Red Rain – which is peppery with a hint of lemon and adds vitamin A, B, C, E and K along with minerals Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Zinc AND Protein to your diet.
Little Green Bag – which includes Perfect Kale. Along with it’s pretty pink appearance it is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet containing vitamin A, C, K, B6 and minerals Calcium, Potassium and Magnesium along with some B1, B2, B3, Iron and Phosphorus and antioxidants such as quercetin and kaempferol. We said they were PACKED full of goodness!
