What is a microgreen? Are microgreens vegetables?

What is a microgreen?

Microgreens (also known as vegetable confetti or baby greens) are harvested at the first growth stage when the plant is approximately 1 - 3 inches tall. These little greens include the stem and leaves, come in a variety of colors and textures. Our microgreens are generally harvested between 7-21 days after germination, right after their true leaves emerge. 

Are microgreens vegetables?

Yes, microgreens are absolutely vegetables. Although, microgreens also come from herbs, beans, grains and legumes. Microgreens are a younger more delicate version of a fully grown vegetable and taste like their more mature counterpart, sometimes with even more intense flavor.

Are micro greens the same as sprouts?

Although the look very similar when you first look at them, no micros and sprouts are not the same. Microgreens are what they sound like. They are tiny youthful plants and herbs that are harvested between 7 - 21 days after germination depending on the variety. Sprouts on the other hand are germinated seed shots of a plant harvested between 3-5 days of germination. Micros leaves and stems are consumed and everything below the growing medium (coconut coir) is composted. Sprouts are eaten in their entirety including the roots.

Why are microgreens so small?

Microgreens are deliberately harvested when they are so small because that is when they are most nutrient-dense. The nutrients that you find in microgreens are vitamins, minerals, and antioxidents. You will find the same nutrients in microgreens that you find in fully grown vegetables but, at a much higher concentration. The reason that the concentration of nutrients are higher in micros is because the energy that the plant uses to grow the vegetable are stored in the leaf and stem of the microgreen. The leaf if not harvested will then use all the nutrients that are stored in it to grow vegetables. However, we harvest before that point so all of those nutrients make our little greens nutrient dense powerhouses!

Should I eat microgreens instead of vegetables?

When you compare how much more nutrition you get from microgreens in the graphs below it almost seems like you would be better off just eating microgreens. But, remember these are just a few nutrients that we selected. A 100 grams of veggies or micros is approximately 1 cup, but can vary slightly. To get a well rounded diet and get the daily nutrients that you body needs to be healthy, it is important to eat both microgreens and vegetables. However, it is mind-blowing to see the difference in nutrients between fully grown vegetables and the delicate younger micro greens. Some of the vitamin, mineral, and antioxidants levels are way more then 40 times the density!