Did you know there is a wide variety of edible flowers, edible blossoms, organic micro greens, and other specialty produce that could provide important nutrients to your diet? Want to learn more about organic micro greens and why you should be eating them? Read on.
- What are micro greens? Micro greens have been around since the dawn of time, but have been used recently for food in the last 20 or 30 years. They are the first shoots of a plant that spring up, and hence they have the nutrition present in a mature plant while being much smaller. Micro greens can come from kale and radish, onions and peas, basil and sunflowers, and many other vegetable varieties. They are harvested when about one inch tall. They can be kept in the refrigerator, but organic micro greens deliver the most nutritional punch when they are eaten fresh.
- What are the health benefits of organic micro greens? Studies have shown that, in general, micro greens are more nutritious than the mature vegetables. Nothing is lacking in the fully-grown vegetables; it’s just that the same amount of nutrition that you’ll find in the whole fully grown plant is present in just the micro shoot! Because of this, a study from the University of Maryland found that an ounce of micro green broccoli, for example, has the same nutrition as six whole cups of fully mature broccoli. Studies are still being done and scientists don’t yet know everything, but in general, micro greens are high in vitamins K, C, and E and have a lot of beta-carotene.
- How should I store micro greens? They are best consumed fresh, but if you’re going to store them for a short time, do so at the optimal temperature, which is just under 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also pretty simple to grow micro greens at home, so look for organic micro green seeds that you can plant in your own kitchen windowsill!
- How do I eat organic micro greens? Getting your kids to eat their vegetables can be a daunting task for any parent. It is possible, though! When plating food, know that more adults tend to prefer no more than three colors and foods on their plate. Kids, however, like to have six different colors and seven different food components. Micro greens can be a great way to incorporate color and interest into your kids’ food. Try putting organic micro greens on pizza, sprinkle it in salads, add a few to Asian-style noodle soups, eggs, or tacos. Search the internet for many more recipe ideas!
Organic micro greens make a wonderful, tasty, nutritious addition to many meals. They’re easy to grow, simple to store, and add serious value to your diet. Look for micro green varieties you can add to your dinner tonight!