Microgreens /SPROUTING

Microgreens/Baby Leaf/Sprouting seeds

Sprouts start as dry beans and seeds. They are sprouted by soaking in water, then draining, and then allowing to grow. Once wet, they draw on their stored nutrients and begin to grow. Being young, most sprouts are sweet and tender and provide interesting textures, being crunchy rather than fibrous like older plants. Many different sprouts are available and they are often sold in combination packs.

Microgreens can be grown at home on your kitchen counter; they have an intense flavor and high nutritional value that exceeds that of sprouts and baby greens. Being harvested so early in their growth cycle, they create very tender, flavorful stems and leaves, which are superb in salads, on hors d'oeuvres, on sandwiches, or as a powerful additive garnish.  Microgreens are used as accents on appetizers, sandwiches, salads, main courses and even desserts. Their tender texture, fresh flavor and visual appeal have contributed to their growing popularity in restaurants and gourmet cuisine. The delicate microgreens of different vegetables can be combined to make beautiful and tasty mixes that have a myriad of uses in the kitchen.

Baby leaf greens are more mature than microgreens and have a more developed first true leaf. Baby leaf greens can be harvested at 2"-6" depending on variety. When the true leaves are well formed and still tender, some kinds can be harvested above the seed leaves. This offers the opportunity for further re-growth and subsequent harvests. Others are harvested roots and all. Baby leaf vegetables are excellent additions to salad mixes, braising mixes, soups, sushi and sashimi.

Both microgreens and baby leaf vegetables are great choices for edible garnishes.

Many Microgreens can be easily grown from seed and be ready to eat within a week. Microgreens are grown in a raised bed or shallow container with a well-drained soil mixture. Plant 4-6 seeds per square inch. Microgreens are harvested 5-10 days after germination and when the first true leaves begin to develop. Microgreens are clipped close to the soil level and are 1" to 2" tall.