Microgreens – tiny, delicate greens that add color, texture and flavor to many dishes, are popping up everywhere from upscale restaurants to home gardens. Due to their high nutritional value, they make an excellent addition to salads, sandwiches, and smoothies, or as a garnish on anything from soups to grilled steak. The good news is, growing microgreens at home is a simple, cost-effective way to add these nutrient-packed plants to your diet. Here’s a guide on some of the easiest microgreens to grow in your kitchen.
1. Radish Microgreens
Radish microgreens are one of the fastest growing microgreens, with seed to harvest time of just 5-10 days. They have a spicy, peppery flavor and add a punch to any meal. These greens grow best in temperatures between 18-24 degrees Celsius. They need good light but not direct sunlight and can be grown all year round. Radish microgreens are dense in vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, and also rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.
2. Sunflower Microgreens
Sunflower greens are rich in chlorophyll, proteins, vitamins, and amino acids. They have a crunchy texture and slightly sweet, nutty flavor. These are ideal to use in salads and smoothies or as a garnish for dishes. Sunflower microgreens need a lot of light, and they should be placed near a sunny window or under a grow light for best results. They generally grow in 7-10 days.
3. Pea Shoots
Pea shoots are a type of microgreen that’s delectable both raw and cooked. They’re slightly sweet, slightly crunch, and taste exactly like summer peas. They’re an excellent source of vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as several essential minerals. Grow them in a shallow tray with about an inch of soil, and place them near a sunny window. They typically take about 1-2 weeks to grow to an optimum size.
4. Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is a popular microgreen often used in smoothies and juicing for its high nutritional values. It includes vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, calcium, chlorophyll, iron, lecithin, magnesium, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, potassium, amino acids, trace elements, and protein. It prefers cooler conditions and does not like direct sunlight. Wheatgrass takes approximately 6-10 days to grow and can be harvested once it reaches around 6 inches in height.
5. Broccoli Microgreens
Broccoli microgreens are a superfood with even more health benefits than their full-grown counterparts. They have a mild flavor, slightly spicy but not too strong, making them excellent for mixing in salads, toppings on sandwiches, or blended in smoothies. Broccoli microgreens are typically ready to harvest in 7-14 days. They prefer a slightly cooler environment and do not require as much light as some other microgreens.
6. Mustard Microgreens
Mustard microgreens are very flavorful with a potent spiciness. They’re a good source of vitamins A, C, E, K, and the minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Mustard likes cooler temperatures and should avoid direct sunlight. Harvesting can happen between seven to twelve days.
7. Red Amaranth Microgreens
Red amaranth microgreens are not just beautiful but also delicious and nutritious. They have a mild, earthy flavor and add a vibrant color to salads, soups, and other dishes. They grow best under cooler conditions and should be harvested when the true leaves appear, typically within 10-15 days.
Microgreen growing at home is an enjoyable, inexpensive way to increase fresh produce in your diet. With as little as a window sill and a few containers, you can soon have a mini indoor garden full of nutrient-dense greens. Always ensure to use organic seeds, keep your growing area clean, use the right grow medium, and give adequate light and water to your microgreen crops for healthy growth. The eating part is just as fun as the growing part. Adding these fresh nutrients to your daily meals can add immense benefits to your health and overall well-being.
The aforementioned list of microgreens is not exhaustive. There is a world of different varieties of microgreens ready for you to experiment with. Once you have mastered the basics of growing microgreens, you can expand your horizons and try different types of seeds. Spend time learning and experimenting with the ones that have flavors and textures that are appealing to you.
Growing microgreens in your kitchen means you no longer have to depend on store-bought greens, which can sometimes lack in freshness or come with a hefty price tag. In contrast, growing microgreens at home is an affordable, practical, and fun way to enjoy fresh, nutrient-dense food just a few steps away from your kitchen countertop.
To get the most out of your microgreens, harvest them right before you plan to eat them. This ensures that you maintain as many of the nutrients as possible. Use a sharp pair of scissors to snip the stem just above the soil level, wash carefully, and include in your favourite dishes to enjoy a host of flavors, textures, and health benefits.
It’s an adventure growing microgreens at home. Each variety has different tastes, colors, and growing habits, which makes every new batch an exciting event. As with any gardening endeavour, growing microgreens at home is half science, half art. It is deeply rewarding to see a handful of tiny seeds grow into a lush carpet of edible greens, right there on your windowsill or kitchen counter.
