What are Sprouts and Microgreens?

What are Sprouts and Microgreens?

MICROGREENS - good things come in small packages. They provide more nutrition than mature greens. Small, young, and mighty, that’s why they call microgreens SUPERFOODS. These tiny vegetables burst with rich, leafy flavors from spicy to sweet, and their nutritional power exceeds that of mature versions. Studies show that microgreens contain four to forty times the nutrients in mature vegetables. Most varieties are rich in potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and copper. They are also an excellent source of antioxidants and a wider array of polyphenols. Use them in place of the adult version in dishes, garnish them on salads and soups, add them to sandwiches, or blend them into smoothies. The taste is simply great and so potent that a handful goes a long way. They are undoubtedly a healthy addition to your diet.

Different Kinds of Microgreens:

The most popular varieties are produced using seeds from the following plant families:
Amaryllidaceae family:
 Includes chives, garlic, leeks, and onions.
Apiaceae family: Includes carrot, celery, dill, and fennel.
Asteraceae family: Includes chicory, endive, lettuce, and radicchio.
Brassicaceae family: Includes arugula, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, and watercress.
Cucurbitaceae family: Includes cucumbers, melons, and squashes.
Lamiaceae family: Includes most common herbs like mint, basil, rosemary, sage, and oregano.
Poaceae family: Includes grasses and cereals like barley, corn, rice, oats, and wheatgrass. As well as legumes, including beans, chickpeas, and lentils.

Amaranthaceae family: Includes amaranth, beets, chard, quinoa, and spinach.

 

What is the difference between Sprouts and Microgreens? 

A pile of sprouts on a wooden surface

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    Microgreens are typically slightly larger than sprouts, harvested just above the soil level. They already produce their true leaves, which sprouts do not yet have. Both sprouts and microgreens are easy-to-grow, four-season indoor crops. If sunny windows are unavailable for microgreens, they require only a few tools, including trays, seeds, soil, and grow lights. 

A fork with sprouts on it

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Sprouts require only a jar and a straining lid. Microgreens typically take 8 to 14 days from seedling to being table-ready, while sprouts can be ready in 5 to 6 days. Organic and natural, they are easy to harvest and provide easy access to fresh vegetables at every meal. Soil2savory encourages every household to grow sprouts and microgreens.

 

Reference:

https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2014/specialty-greens-pack-a-nutritional-punch

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267354000_Microgreens_Assessment_of_Nutrient_Concentrations



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