microgreens

 

MICROGREENS. WHAT ARE THEY?

Microgreens are young vegetable greens that are approximately 1–3 inches (2.5–7.5 cm) tall. They have an aromatic flavor and concentrated nutrient content and come in a variety of colors and textures.

Microgreens are considered baby plants, falling somewhere between a sprout and baby green.

That said, they shouldn’t be confused with sprouts, which do not have leaves. Sprouts also have a much shorter growing cycle of 2–7 days, whereas microgreens are usually harvested 7–21 days after germination, once the plant’s first true leaves have emerged.

Microgreens are more similar to baby greens in that only their stems and leaves are considered edible. However, unlike baby greens, they are much smaller in size and can be sold before being harvested.

This means that the plants can be bought whole and cut at home, keeping them alive until they are consumed. Microgreens are very convenient to grow, as they can be grown in a variety of locations, including outdoors, in greenhouses, and even on your windowsill.

SUMMARY

Microgreens are immature vegetable greens that are between 2.5 and 7.5 cm (1-3 inches) tall. They come in a range of colors and textures, have a concentrated nutrient content, and have a fragrant flavor.

Microgreens are young plants that fall midway between sprouts and baby greens.

They should not be confused with sprouts, though, as they lack leaves. While microgreens are typically harvested 7–21 days after germination, when the plant's first true leaves have appeared, sprouts have a significantly shorter growth cycle of 2–7 days.

Only the stems and leaves of microgreens are thought to be edible, making them more comparable to baby greens. They are much smaller than baby greens, though, and can be sold even before they are plucked.