Microgreens are young edible seedlings of vegetables, herbs and plants rich in flavour and nutrition. Recently, microgreens from vegetables and other edible plants have received wide attention due to their dense source of nutrition.
Microgreens were the culinary greens used in restaurants during mid-90s in California, USA.

- Sprouts are germinated seeds, grows without any nutrient media in water.
- Microgreens are longer than sprouts, result of cotyledon growth includes true leaves.

- Fill the pot with soil/growing media.
- Choose your seeds.
- Moisten the medium using water sprayer/sprinkler.
- Sow approx. 8-10 seeds per square inch evenly.
- Optimum spacing should be maintained.
- Spray the seeds with water.
- Cover the seeds very lightly with the growing media.
- Cover the pot with a lid.
- Let the seeds germinate for 2-3 days.
- Maintain the humidity
- Uncover the lid when the seeds are germinated.
- Give your microgreens a good spray of water.
- Expose it to light.
- Favorable temperature is 26°C.
- Microgreens are usually harvested at 7-14 days after germination.
Post-harvest operation:
After harvesting, rapid senescence makes it very short shelf life. To increase the shelf life microgreens are thoroughly pre cooled.
Uses:
Microgreens are used in salads, sandwich and soups. It can also be used for stuffing parantha and other Indian foods.
Why depend on others? When you can eat your home grown microgreens.
Commonly used microgreens:
Family | Name |
Brassicaceae | Cauliflower, Radish, Knol khol, Cabbage, Mustard, Broccoli, Wasabi, Pak choi, Turnip |
Fabaceae | Lentil, Pea, Bengal gram, Black gram, Alfalfa, Fenugreek |
Amaranthaceae | Amaranthus |
Poaceae | Maize, Wheat |
Chenopodiaceae | Swiss chard, Beet root, Spinach, Quinoa |
Apiaceae | Carrot, Coriander, Celery, Parsley |
Lamiaceae | Basil |
Polygonaceae | Buck wheat |
Linaceae | Flaxseed |
Asteraceae | Sunflower, Lettuce |
Alliaceae | Onion, Garlic |
Health benefits of microgreens:
- Alfalfa microgreens: These reduces risk of breast cancer, Minimize menopause symptoms and excessive menstruation, Prevents osteoporosis, Lower blood glucose levels, Treat diabetes, Combat cholesterol. Alfalfa microgreens contains Vit-K, Vit-C, Vit-E, Beta carotene, Lutein, Antioxidants and other anti aging agents.
- Basil microgreens: These have Anti-inflammatory effects, regulate body functions, anti-aging and prevent cancers.Basil microgreens contains high polyphenols, vitamins (A,C,K), various minerals,
- Cabbage microgreens: These reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases, lower cholesterol level and prevent cancers. Cabbage microgreens contains Vitamin C, A, E, beta-carotene, potassium and more.
- Carrot microgreens: These helps keep skin, lung and oral cavity cancers at bay. Carrot microgreens contains rich source of anti oxidants, carotene and vitamin A.
- Cauliflower microgreens: These reduce risk of cancers and heart-related diseases. Cauliflower microgreens contains Vitamin C, A, E, beta-carotene, potassium and more.
- Cilantro/coriander microgreens: These promotes health for bone, vision, nervous system, and more. Cilantro microgreens contains Vitamin A, C, K, Calcium, iron, phosphorus and more.
- Clover microgreens: These has anti-inflammatory effect, regulate body functions, anti-aging, prevent cancers. Clover microgreens are packed with calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc.
- Cress microgreens: These promotes eye health, prevent cancers, good for teeth, maintaining heart health. Cress microgreens contains Vitamin A, C, K, isothiocyanates, Glucotropaeolin and more.
- Fenugreek microgreens: These promotes diabetes control, heart health, improve digestion, prevent cancers. Fenugreek microgreens contains Vitamin C, protein, fibers, antioxidant, potassium, iron and more.
- Khol rabi microgreens: These promotes blood clotting, skin health, eye health and more. Khol rabi microgreens contains Vitamin K, C, beta-carotene, lutein, violaxanthin.
- Mizuna microgreens: These are high in immune-boosting vitamin C, folate, and iron. It also contains powerful glucosinolates antioxidants linked to decreased cancer risk. Mizuna microgreens contains Vitamin A, C, K.
- Onion microgreens: These helps increase the enzymatic activity throughout the body, prevent anemia, lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, as well as with weight loss. Onion microgreens contains Vitamins, A, B, C and E, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and amino acids.
- Pak choi microgreens: These reduces risk of cardiovascular diseases, lower cholesterol level and prevent cancers. Pakchoi microgreens contains Vitamin C, A, E, beta-carotene, potassium and more.
- Pumpkin microgreens: These improves Eye health, prevent cancers, repairs blood cells.Pumpkin microgreens contains Vitamin A, C, E, beta-carotene, the precursor to vitamin A — an important antioxidant.
- Pea microgreens: These boost immune system, eye health, control blood sugar, anti-cancer effect. Pea microgreens are high in Vitamin A, C, protein, folate, fiber, some minerals, and more.
- Purslane microgreens : These plays role in vision healthy mucus membranes and to protect from lung and oral cavity cancer. Purslane microgreens contains vitamin C and B-complex vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, and pyridoxine. It provides highest dietary minerals.
- Radish microgreens: These promotes eye health, reduce risk of heart-related diseases, prevent some cancers, and more. Radish microgreens are high in Vitamin C, A, K, E, beta-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, violaxanthin.
- Spinach microgreens: These promotes eye health, prevent some cancers, and more.Spinach microgreens are high in Vitamin C, A, K, E, beta-carotene,
- Sunflower microgreens: These lowers blood cholesterol, teeth and bone health, regulate hormones, heart health.Sunflower microgreens contains protein, calcium and iron, 8 essential amino acids, Vitamin A/C/K/D, Vitamin B complex, folic acid, and various trace minerals..
- Swiss chard microgreens: These benefits heart health, may decrease insulin resistance and lowers blood sugar. Swiss chard microgreens are incredibly rich in vitamins K, A, and C. They are also full of protein, dietary fibre, and antioxidants..
- Turnip microgreens: These reduces risk of heart-related diseases, Diabetes, prevent some cancers, and helps in Fertility, pregnancy. Turnip microgreens can help maintain healthy skin and hair, because of their high vitamin A content.
- Wheat microgreens: These prevent cancers, lowers blood cholesterol, improve digestion, anti-aging, detoxify liver. Wheat microgreens contains Vitamin A, C, B complex, essential amino acids, and various minerals. *Source: ICAR-IVRI
We are looking forward to read your comments!
Microgreens are hugely popular today and should be included in your diet which helps our health significant way. Reduce major diseases like cancer and chronic disease, good heart health, 40 times more nutrients compared to other fully grown veggies, and extremely convenient to grow. One should consider for many reasons.
Microgreens are healthy and trends food now a days. Tasty and healthy food we can grow very easily in our kitchen……….:-)
Good to know about microgreens
Microgreens the future food. Thanks for the information.
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