The Healthy Kitchen: Microgreens

What are microgreens? They are young vegetable greens that are approximately 1-3 inches tall, they come in a variety of flavors, colors, and textures, and they have concentrated nutrients. Microgreens are between a sprout and a plant.  They are harvested around 7-21 days after germination. 

Microgreens are loaded with nutrients making them a great way to get some added nutrition in your meals easily. They tend to be high in potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and copper. They are also a great source of antioxidants. Nutrients in microgreens can be up to 9 times higher than in their mature counterparts. Due to their increased nutrient content, microgreens can possibly reduce the risk of diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and some cancers, although studies are needed to draw stronger conclusions. 

There are many ways to add microgreens into your diet. You can add them to dishes including sandwiches, wraps, and salads. You can add to soups and stir-fries. They can be blended into smoothies or juiced. Wheatgrass juice is a great example of this. You can also use them as a garnish on pizza, omelets, or other warm dishes.

Where can you find them? Well, you can definitely try your hand at growing your own. But, if like me your talents do not lie in that direction there are some other options. 

There is a local farm in Springfield, IL that grows microgreens and they sell them at the Farmers Market. You can also find them at some local grocers, specifically Harvest Market, Roberts Seafood Market, Food Fantasies, County Market, and Hyvee.  They are called Itty Bitty Microfarm. 

Itty Bitty Microfarm was started during the pandemic and in 2021 they started selling their microgreens in the community. Not only are they highly nutritious but they are sustainably produced with organic practices. 

I discovered this product at the farmers market and have been buying it ever since. I almost always have one or two in my fridge. I love adding them to sandwiches and stir-fries. Also, for the cat owners out there, they also sell cat grass or Wheatgrass, I buy this frequently for my cats to nibble on and Myst loves it! It's a great way to get hairballs moving naturally. 

Next time you are at the store or farmers market pick one up and try it! The price point is about $5 per package, as well as the cat grass runs about $5 as well. The best way to store them to make them last longer is to put a paper towel in the top and store laid upside down.