Microgreens are edible seedlings that are packed with flavor and nutrition. Over the last few years, microgreens have gained in popularity among both home cooks and chefs. Microgreens are flavor powerhouses that are easy to grow and add a ton of nutrition and flavor to your salads. Let’s dig in and find out why so many people are adding microgreens to their salads and determine which microgreens you should be growing today.
Microgreens first began gaining in popularity when fine dining experiences began incorporating microgreens into their menu as flavor components and garnishes. As microgreens became more popular, they began showing up in windowsills across America.
There are several reasons why microgreens are so popular, including:
You can use almost any vegetable seed for microgreens. Beginners usually begin growing basil, beets, broccoli, cilantro, kale, and radish microgreens because they are easy to grow. If you are looking for the most flavorful microgreens to add to your salads, you should check out bees, garden cress, mustard, pea, and radish microgreens. These microgreens will add a punch of zest and flavor to your salad. Let’s take a look at each microgreen you should begin growing for your salad bowl.
Beets have been enjoyed for thousands of years. In the beginning, the leaves of the beet plant were eaten, not the roots that we consume today. In the 1500s people began eating the portion of the beet that we eat today.
The leafy green tops of beets are delicious and provide numerous health benefits. Beet microgreens are rich in lutein, vitamin A, and beta carotene.
The bright red stems and purple stems along with bright green cotyledons visual interest and appeal to your salads. Beet microgreens provide you with a slightly earthly flavor similar to the root portion of beets.
Our favorite varieties of beet microgreens include:
Cress has been enjoyed for thousands of years. This ancient herb is slightly bitter with a hint of sweetness. The peppery taste goes beautifully with other microgreen salad mixes.
Cress is a nutrient powerhouse. It contains large amounts of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals including calcium, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin K, B vitamins, and iron.
Use cress in your salads to add additional texture and flavor. We recommend the following cress microgreens:
Mustard greens have been enjoyed for more than 5,000 years. In fact, it is a staple in Southern cooking. This spicy microgreen is the perfect addition to your microgreen assortment.
Mustard greens are filled with antioxidants, including vitamin A and vitamin C. Their chlorophyll and fiber in mustard microgreens detoxify the body and lower the risk of several diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity.
Mustard microgreens add a lot of flavor to your salads. These microgreens have a sweet and slightly hot mustard flavor. Some microgreen varieties have undertones of horseradish.
Our favorite varieties include:
Peas have been grown for thousands of years and were the first cultivated crop ever grown. Pea microgreens add a touch of sweetness to your salads.
Pea microgreens are filled with anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants, and fiber. These delicious microgreens contain vitamins A, C, and E, folic acid, and lutein to promote eye health, regulate glucose levels, and decrease the risk of certain types of cancer.
The sweet mildness of pea microgreens pairs great with the sharp and spicy microgreens used in salads. These crunchy microgreens are fast growing and delicious. We recommend the following pea microgreens:
Radishes have been enjoyed since around 3000 BC. Radish microgreens are one of the fastest growing microgreens on the market.
These delicious microgreens are chockful of vitamins, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, selenium, and riboflavin. Radish microgreens help improve your heart health and lower blood pressure.
Radish microgreens add a hint of peppery zest to your salads. We recommend the following radish microgreen varieties:
Growing your own microgreens for salads is a great way to increase the flavor, texture, and nutrition of your favorite salads. Microgreens are very easy to grow, allowing you to have a harvestable and delicious salad within a matter of weeks. Grow some of the microgreens listed above and begin incorporating them into your diet to improve your health and nourish your body.
