As people become more and more adventurous when it comes to food, there are new trends popping up often. One of those regards the use microgreens and edible flowers in everything from salads to baking.
Microgreens, which are essentially edible immature greens harvested when a plant is still small, have been around for 20-30 years, but they have recently become more popular as people who are into healthy eating look for more choices. Microgreens should not be confused with sprouts, which are actually germinated seeds. They are more like edible flowers. As the popularity of the food has increased, companies specializing in microgreens, such as True Leaves Microgreens, have sprung up.
So what is the big deal about eating microgreens, and why would they be any better than regular greens? Numerous studies have shown that True Leaves Microgreens and other types of microgreens have high levels of nutrients and antioxidents, much more so than mature vegetables, which makes them a very healthful food that can help to prevent diseases.
If you want to start a diet involving microgrees, there are some things you should know. First off, microgreens need to be stored in a refrigerator with a temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps them to last longer and also to retain their high levels of nutrients. To get the most health benefits from them, you need to eat them raw, although you need to make sure you thoroughly wash them before eating them. Microgreens can be eaten as a salad, and that is the most common way of preparing them, but they also can be used as a garnish for a meal.
If microgreens aren’t your thing but you still want to eat something exotic from the plant world, you can try edible flowers instead. There are more than 100 types of edible flowers, and though they aren’t as nutritious as microgreens, they still can be quite healthy. Edible flowers usually are used as a garnish, often as a decoration on a cake or plate of food. However, you may be able to find recipes that feature them.
Whether you are eating microgreens or edible flowers, keep in mind that you must practice food safety, and you also want to eat a balanced diet that includes protein and some carbohydrates.