If you want to grow fresh nutritious greens without a garden, then Microgreens should interest you. Vegetarians, vegans or meat-eaters, we should all embrace these amazing little veggies. The ancient Egyptians knew the benefits of these young shoots both for health and taste. They are essentially young varieties of edible vegetables, herbs and flowers. They really came to people’s attention after top end chefs in California began using them in the 1980s. But they are so much more than just food to jazz up posh dinners. They all have very different tastes and colours. Microgreens can be used in a multitude of dishes. A few being pesto, smoothies, salads, stir-fries, sandwiches, curries, omelettes, fried rice, tacos, soups, tofu, sushi and fish. Here are a few popular varieties.
A toasted baguette with a mixed microgreen salad. Delicious1
Pea. Sweet tasting and crunchy.
Fenugreek. Stronger, with a hint of spice.
Sunflower. Crunchy and nutty flavour.
You can order them from specialists who will deliver them to you by the tray load. Or a few top end stores sell a small selection. But they are very easy to grow, as I said, needing no garden. They are full of vitamins and really elevate a dish to a different level. Unfortunately, still, very few people grow them and use them. I am surprised that more vegans and vegetarians have not discovered them. I recently made a lovely homemade pizza and then scattered a variety over the top. Delicious!
We all live a busy lifestyle, but I recommend you try to grow these. No gardening experience necessary. They are happy on a windowsill or anywhere with plenty of light. They are very popular in modern Indian cuisine. Used in.
Dals/Curries. In lentil soups.
Dahi/Raitas. Mixed into yoghurts adds texture.
Also mix into spicy curries.
Microgreens Ready To Eat.
I have just learned that North America grows and consumes the most amount of microgreens globally. Citing vertical farming and a rising demand for healthy food. I must say that here in the UK there has been an increase in small scale businesses that deliver trays of lovely fresh microgreens to the door. But, they are so very easy to grow, I really do not understand why more people do not grow them at home. You do not need a garden, or any gardening experience for that matter. A simple windowsill will suffice. Just like salad they need washing thoroughly. Use them as and when you need them. There are a great many to choose from. Pick five or six that you especially like and grow them. My company has recently introduced a Microgreens Home Grow Kit to our range. I hope it will prove popular. We have chosen five varieties that are all very tasty, and popular to grow. Pea, alfalfa, fenugreek, sunflower and amarinth red. We also include cell trays for sowing, an organic potting mix, polythene bags to aid germination, seed markers and pencil. And of course, full instructions. We are also giving a generous discount of £5.00 as an incentive to give these tasty young shoots a try. My sister Sue took a kit to try out, and now she is a regular microgreens grower. Please take a look and order here. I would be grateful if you would share this blog with your friends.
Thanks and great gardeneing. Simon.
