What are microgreens?
Microgreens are mini versions of vegetables and herbs that typically taste better and stay fresher longer than the fully grown plants. In more plainer terms, these are the seedling versions of the plant. No, these are not sprouts and neither are these “baby leaves” – these are separate categories altogether, which we will address separately.
How are microgreens used?
There is an ever increasing breadth of use of microgreens. While these originally started out in restaurants as garnishes, the use has devolved greatly. Microgreens add a splash of colour and bring diverse flavouring profiles that can accentuate a meal greatly . They are typically mild, sweet, bitter, sour, or can generate a more complex flavour. Microgreens are very versatile and are added to salads, soups, sandwiches, adding colour and flavour to main dishes. These are also now used in health smoothies, desserts and, surprise surprise, even in cocktails!
What are they good for other than colour and flavour?
Besides having fresh flavour profiles and bright colours, they also have great health benefits such as antioxidants and vitamin C, making them increasingly popular. There is a great deal of research going on around the health benefits of including microgreens in a healthy diet. For example, onion microgreens are thought to help reduce cholesterol, manage glucose levels, improve bone health, and other enzymatic activities.