When you go to a nice restaurant, your food looks so pretty! It’s arranged perfectly and garnished with, well something edible. The edible garnishes you see are usually microgreens. They are used in the presentation of a food dish to make it pop. But did you know that microgreens actually have a lot of health perks?
What Are Microgreens?
Microgreens are the seedlings of vegetables and herbs. They resemble sprouts, but they have the leaves. Microgreens have a short harvesting period of 7-21 days after they germinate, and the first leaves appear.
Although similar to baby greens, they are smaller and can be sold before they are harvested. Four of the most common microgreens you will find are:
Kale
Broccoli
Radishes
Arugula
Microgreens have more flavor than the fully harvested vegetables and can be either sweet or savory which makes them perfect for cooking.
Microgreens are Small But Mighty
Although small, these little greens pack a powerful nutritional punch. Fresh plants have vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Most varieties of microgreens have an abundance of iron, zinc, potassium, copper, and magnesium.
Microgreens are also rich in antioxidants. The concentrated nutrients of these little green veggies can offer you the following health benefits due to their high antioxidant content:
● Fighting cancer- Antioxidants rich foods help lower the risk of certain cancers cancer
● Heart disease- Antioxidants may help lower the risk of heart disease by lowing bad cholesterol
● Diabetes- Antioxidants can help prevent sugar from entering cells
● Alzheimer’s – Antioxidants have been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Antioxidants offer a great deal of health benefits, which makes microgreens worth checking out!
Here is what the top four microgreens can offer you in the way of nutrition:
Kale
One of the most nutrient-dense vegetables you’ll find. It contains:
● Vitamin A● Vitamin K● Vitamin C● Vitamin B6● Manganese● Calcium● Copper● Potassium● Magnesium● Antioxidants
Broccoli
Another superfood:
● Vitamin K● Vitamin C● Fiber● Potassium● Folate
Radishes
● Fiber● Potassium● Folate
Arugula
● Calcium● Potassium● Folate● Vitamin C● Vitamin K● Vitamin A
Not only are microgreens nutritionally dense, but they are also low in calories, so they are perfect if you are trying to watch or lose weight.
How to Incorporate Microgreens into Your Diet
Microgreens are easy to incorporate into your diet:
● They can be used in sandwiches, salads, and wraps.
● They can be blended into smoothies for a nutritional meal or snack
● They can be juiced
● You can use as a garnish for warm dishes like soups or omelets
● Use them in the dishes you are cooking (see our recipes)
Where Can I Buy Microgreens?
Glad you asked! Micro Pharms grows its plants in an urban vertical garden, using no pesticides. We are in your community! You can buy microgreens at our weekly farmers market right here in Baton Rouge. We also sell them in retail stores.
If you would like to find out where to buy our microgreens or you would like to incorporate them into your business you can contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.
Microgreens are the superfood of the future. With the ability to grow them in an urban environment it is easy to get them to you at their maximum freshness.