21 Best Types of Microgreen Seeds in 2023 (October)
Microgreen seeds have been around for millennia, but only in the last few years have they become more popular. They claim that eating microgreens offers numerous health benefits and microgreens are considered to be a superfood or at least a very healthy food. Growing microgreens is a quick, and relatively easy process, even with very little experience.
Lastly, they can make a very profitable business venture that takes up little time, and space and offers a very quick turnaround from seed to production week after week.
Let’s take a look at the best types of microgreens available today, what they are, their benefits, and how to grow your own microgreens. Let’s go!
What are Microgreens?
Microgreens are a special category of vegetables that are incredibly nutritious and healthy. They have been gaining popularity over the last few years as more and more people realize their benefits.
Microgreens are miniature greens or sprouts, grown from pre-soaking seeds of vegetables and herbs, such as cucumber, kale, broccoli, mustard, spinach, and micro basil, just to name a few. When the seedlings reach 2–3 inches in height they are harvested, typically within 7 to 21 days after planting depending on the variety.
Microgreens do not require soil to grow although we do recommend using soil. You can grow microgreens in sterile growing mediums such as coconut coir, rock wool, compost, or hemp mats. They are usually grown best under indoor controlled environments.
What are the benefits of microgreens?
What are the healthiest microgreens? Research has shown that eating most microgreens have an extremely high nutrient content. Not only do microgreens expel the nutrients inside of the seed to grow the sprout but they also absorb more micronutrients from the soil during the rapid growth period. With a hefty dose of dietary fiber and essential vitamins and minerals, microgreens provide most people with an accessible and alternative way to increase their daily supply of vitamins and minerals.
Growing microgreens is becoming an increasingly popular way to get a nutrient-packed boost of flavor into your home-cooked meals. They can be easily grown indoors or outside in containers.
Which are the most common types of microgreen seeds?
While almost any vegetable can be a microgreen, the best options are going to be the types of microgreen plants that are not tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, or okra. Leafy vegetables offer some of the best microgreens available.
The following are some of the most common microgreens. They are listed in alphabetical order by plant families. While there are many types of microgreens and plants found in each family here are the most editable in each plant family class.
Amaranthaceae family:
Amaranth, beets, chard, quinoa, and spinach.
Amaryllidaceae family:
Chives, garlic, leeks, and onions.
Apiaceae family:
Carrot, celery, dill, and fennel.
Asteraceae family:
Chicory, endive, lettuce, and radicchio.
Brassicaceae family:
Arugula, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, and watercress.
Cucurbitaceae family:
Cucumbers, melons, and squashes including pumpkin and watermelon.
Lamiaceae family:
Common herbs like basil, mint, oregano, rosemary, and sage.
Poaceae family:
Most grasses and cereals like rice, corn, oats, barley, wheatgrass, etc. Also, legumes – beans, chickpeas, and lentils.
What are the 21 Best Types of Microgreen Seeds?
Sunflower
Sunflower microgreens have a surprisingly delightful flavor! They often have a sweet and nutty taste, with subtle citrusy undertones – making them the ideal addition to any meal.
Many cooking enthusiasts love to use sunflower microgreens as an attractive and flavorful garnish, while others prefer to mix them into salads or sandwiches for added crunch.
Kale
Kale microgreens are a delicious treat! If you’ve ever had baby kale, kale microgreens are like a more intense version of that. With their crunchy texture and a hint of bitterness and have a distinctive flavor that makes for an amazing addition to any dish.
Whether you’re cooking up something savory or sweet, the hints of smokiness and earthiness make them a great choice. They add depth to your cuisine or salad mix that really helps to lock in all the flavorings across different kinds of dishes.
Radish
Radish microgreens have a unique flavor. They are slightly spicy, with a mild peppery taste that is similar to horseradish. For those who already enjoy radish microgreens the crunchy nature and cool taste of radishes, you’ll love the boldness that radish microgreens can bring!
Not only are they an interesting food to add to your meal, but they also pack a nutritious punch with high levels of vitamins A, C, and K as well as biotin, copper, and manganese.
Cabbage
Cabbage microgreens have a light, fresh, and tangy flavor. They can add a delightful crunch to any salad or sandwich! The taste lies somewhere between a cabbage and a Brussels sprout with some mild spicy tones as well.
You can experiment with adding other flavors – such as garlic or ginger – to create delicious dishes that burst with flavor. Microgreens are amazing for combining with other ingredients and lend themselves to creating innovative recipes that everyone will love!
Cilantro
Cilantro microgreens have a unique flavor that’s both bright and refreshing. It can add a bold freshness to dishes, and some even say it helps bring out the flavors of adjacent ingredients in a delicious way.
Some say the taste of cilantro microgreens is slightly spicy with hints of lemon and pepper, while others describe it as earthy and herbaceous with a slight tartness. If you’re new to cilantro microgreens, they are the perfect way to take your cooking to the next level.
Arugula
Arugula microgreens have a bold and spicy flavor that will add a delicious kick to any dish! These often-overlooked greens are full of flavor and are the perfect addition to any summer salad.
It has an amazing peppery taste that will really bring out the other flavors in your meal. It also works well in sandwiches, wraps, soups, and pizzas. The possibilities for adding this superfood to dishes are endless, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
Wheatgrass
When considering what wheatgrass microgreens taste like, it’s important to keep in mind that their flavor is unique and widely varied depending on how they are grown. Generally speaking, you can expect mild and slightly sweet flavors, much like grassy hay or cornsilk. Some experienced wheatgrass lovers may also detect subtle celery-like or mustard undertones.
Mustard
Mustard microgreens are a great way to add a spicy kick to any meal! These tiny plants pack a big punch, boasting plenty of flavor in their cute little packages. A cross between arugula and wasabi, these microgreens have a taste that is reminiscent of both – but with an added kick. They are most often used to top salads or sandwiches, giving them just the distinct flavor they need.
Eaten raw, mustard microgreens deliver a mild spiciness that complements many dishes but doesn’t overpower them. For those looking to spice up their dishes without breaking the heat meter too much, mustard microgreens are definitely worth trying!
Buckwheat
Buckwheat microgreens are a great option for adding flavor and nutrition to meals and snacks! Not only do they add a desirable crunch, but their distinctive nutty-earthy flavor sets them apart from other types of greens.
When eaten raw, the taste is mild and pleasant, making them perfect for garnishing salads or sandwiches. But when cooked, buckwheat is transformed into something entirely different – their unique taste bursts through in dishes like stir-fries and soups.
Broccoli
Broccoli microgreens offer a unique earthy and nutty flavor, making them perfect for adding extra-special ingredients to salads, sandwiches, soups and more. They also possess a slight bitterness that gives any dish a pleasant peppery finish. The texture of broccoli microgreens is crunchy yet tender, so you can expect freshness in every bite.
Broccoli microgreens have all the nutrition of larger specimens, making them an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber to help promote your overall health. With the distinctive flavor and powerful nutrition of broccoli microgreens, it’s no wonder why chefs around the world are incorporating these tasty greens into their delectable dishes.
Mizuna
Mizuna microgreens have a unique flavor that’s often described as being spicy, but not too much. With a crunchy texture and slight nuttiness that pairs well with other flavors, they can be used to upgrade dishes like salads, sandwiches, soups and more. If you’re looking for freshness and depth of flavor in your recipes, mizuna microgreens are an excellent choice!
They bring color and complexity to any dish. Even if you like simple flavors, you’ll appreciate the gentle burst of flavor that these microgreens bring.
Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi microgreens are a unique and flavorful addition to any meal! Unlike the full-grown vegetable, these tiny greens have a mild but distinctive flavor that is slightly sweet and nutty like cabbage or they can taste like a cross between a cucumber and a radish. They even pack a nutritious punch, providing Vitamin C, potassium, iron, and fiber, as well as magnesium and other vitamins. These little greens make a great addition to salads or stir-fries and enhance the flavor of almost any dish.
Amaranth
Amaranth microgreens are an incredibly unique and flavorful addition to any meal! Surprisingly, these greens don’t taste like the leafy vegetable itself; instead, they boast a slightly peppery, grassy flavor that is mild but distinctive. They make for a great crunchy texture too, not unlike spinach in its rawest form! With this delicious combination of flavors and textures, amaranth microgreens are sure to be a hit at your next dinner party.
Basil
Basil microgreens certainly pack a punch when it comes to taste. Depending on the variety they can have an intense, concentrated flavor that is most often likened to strong basil-infused olive oil with a hint of peppery spice. Or they can be sweet and mild. They make for a fantastic way to add some kick to salads, sandwiches, and wraps by presenting the eater with a fragrant burst of flavor in each bite. Their vibrant color makes them visually appealing as well as flavorful, making them quite an attractive addition to any meal.
Dill
Dill microgreens are a unique and delicious addition to any plate. With their mild grassy and onion notes, tangy finish and pungent aroma, the flavor leaves you with a delightful impression.
Not only do dill microgreens add great-tasting character to any dish, but they also offer a striking presentation with their bright color and textured leaves.
Scallions
Chard
Beets
Cress
Alfalfa Microgreens
Parsley Microgreens
Carrot Microgreens
Sorrell
Cauliflower
Chia
Leaf Lettuce Microgreens
Peas
Swiss Chard
How hard is it to grow microgreen seeds?
So you want to grow microgreens seeds? Great! Microgreens can be grown hydroponically, in a growing medium like coco core and peat moss, or our favorite way, in compost or potting soil. We have found that the easiest way to grow the best microgreens is simply by buying growing kits. But here are the basics you will need to know.
- Pre-soak your seeds for 8-12 hours before sowing.
- Add a layer of soil to your growing tray.
- Sow the pre-soaked microgreen seeds you are going to grow (sunflower, broccoli, cucumber, etc.)
- Cover with a bit more soil.
- Water and watch it grow. (Remember the Chia Pet?)
- In as little as 2 days, you will see young seedlings.
- Move seedlings to a light source, ideally, a grow light. Indirect light or direct filtered light may also be used. In about a week or so you will see exciting growth.
- Harvest when 2-3 inches or taller depending on seed variety.
Keep your growing tray moist and out of direct sunlight. this will give them a good environment to flourish.
It’s important to rotate microgreen varieties throughout the season so that you always have fresh produce on hand – your kitchen will never look better! With just a few simple steps, microgreens are easy to grow and offer an affordable and delicious path to more healthly meals for you and your family.
What do microgreens taste like?
Microgreens are a great way to add a flavorful, nutrient-rich punch to your dishes. While the exact flavor of micro greens can vary from a spicy flavor to sweet flavor depending on the variety, in general they have a much bolder flavor than their full-grown counterparts.
Micro greens usually carry an intensity of flavor that’s somewhat similar to herbs, but amplified – definitely presenting itself as the star of any dish! Whether you prefer the earthiness of radish micro greens, or the gentle crunch of cilantro micro greens or the nutty taste of a sunflower microgreen- you won’t regret adding them to your meals. Some other flavors include a mild flavor of green onions, a lemony flavor of baby greens to even a slightly bitter flavor or a delicate taste of pea shoots.
And if you’re looking for more than just flavor, you’ll be happy to know that growing microgreens is an easy way to pack a big nutritional punch; boasting up to 40 times more nutrients than regular-sized veggies and herbs! So don’t hesitate – go big with your next meal and try growing your own microgreens!
Conclusion
In conclusion, microgreens are undeniably a valuable addition to any kitchen. They provide a wealth of complex flavors, boost the nutritional content of your meals, and are surprisingly easy to grow at home. Whether you are a small farm, a microgreens entrepreneur, or wether you are a seasoned chef, or a home cook looking to expand your culinary horizons, experimenting with different types of microgreens can open up a world of extraordinary tastes and textures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are microgreens the same as sprouts?
No, microgreens and sprouts are different. Sprouts are germinated seeds and are usually eaten whole, seed, stem, and all. Microgreens, on the other hand, are the seedlings of vegetables and herbs, harvested just after the first leaves have developed.
How long does it take to grow microgreens?
Most microgreens can be harvested in 1-2 weeks, depending on the variety. Some types, like sunflower and pea microgreens, may take a bit longer.
Can I grow microgreens at home without any special equipment?
Yes, you can! All you need is a growing tray, some soil, seeds, and a good light source. A sunny window or a simple grow light can work well.
How should I store harvested microgreens?
Microgreens are best when eaten fresh, but they can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. Just make sure to keep them in a container that allows some airflow to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Can all vegetables and herbs be grown as microgreens?
Most vegetables and herbs can be grown as microgreens, but there are a few exceptions. It’s best to check the seed packet or consult with a gardening expert to be sure.
