Learn how to prepare food with delicious microgreens.
Microgreens are vegetable, herb, and grain seedlings harvested after the first leaves have developed. They are a little more mature than sprouts, which don’t have leaves. Microgreens are a nutritious, delicious addition to your diet that adds flavor and texture to every dish. They’re considered superfoods, often having more nutrients than their fully grown counterparts.
When Should Microgreens Be Harvested?
Microgreens are typically ready to harvest when the plant is about one to three inches tall, about 7-21 days after germination. However, each variety has its own timing, and some may be ready earlier. Flavor and texture change as the plant grows, so you might prefer harvesting earlier or later than someone else would. The best way to determine when your microgreens are ready to your taste is to sample a little bit every day.
Microgreens are best when you harvest them on-demand, just before you eat them. You can harvest what you need, then leave the plant to grow until you need more.
The Different Uses of Microgreens
Like most produce, microgreens come in a variety of colors and flavors, from sweet to spicy, and pack a nutritious punch in a range of dishes.
You might use microgreens:
- To add vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber to your diet.
- To dress up the color, flavor, and texture of your favorite dishes.
- To support sustainable farming.
How to Add Microgreens to Food
Most microgreens become too soft when heated and lose nutrients at high temperatures. We recommend leaving them uncooked, except for some exceptions like stir fry.
Microgreens are versatile. They work just about anywhere you want to add color, flavor, texture, and a nutrient boost, including:
- Juices, smoothies
- Salads
- Sandwiches
- Soups
- Stir fry
- Garnishment for drinks
- Anywhere you would add veggies!
They’re popular in restaurants sprinkled over small plates, flatbreads, pizza, appetizers, cold soups, and salads. They’re also delicious on sandwiches, pairing perfectly with hummus, aioli, tzatziki, and other sauces and condiments.
Can You Freeze Microgreens?
Like many leafy greens, microgreens can be frozen but will lose their leafy crispness. They will retain their nutrients, making frozen microgreens a great addition to juices and smoothies. You won’t want to thaw them first as they will turn soupy. They also work great chopped up in soups, chili, and lasagna.
There are two good ways to freeze microgreens.
- Chop them up into an ice cube tray. Top them off with juice or yogurt. Toss a few frozen cubes in the next time you make a smoothie.
- Rinse, and air dry them. Chop them up and spread them apart on a baking tray. Freeze them for an hour, then transfer them to an airtight freezer bag. Add to smoothies or soups.
BAYWATER FARMS HAS THE RIGHT PRODUCE FOR YOU
Baywater Farms is a family-owned and operated farm servicing Baltimore, Washington D.C., Maryland, Delaware beaches, and the Eastern Shore. We are capable of meeting the demands of your produce distributor, restaurant produce supplier, CSA produce supplier, or wholesale produce supplier while maintaining the integrity and character of a small farm. When you work with Baywater Farms, you work with an experienced, ethical, and local farm dedicated to providing the highest-quality heirloom produce.