Microgreens have been in existence for the last 20 to 30 years. Micro greens refer to the minute edible greens obtained from young herbs and vegetables. Though the leaves may seem tiny, they are perfectly formed. Some numerous herbs and plants come in handy in the production of true leaf micro greens. Some of them include amaranth, radish, rapini, mustard, cumin, mizuna, green, and red cabbages. There is no doubt that greens and vegetables enjoy longer shelf-life when stored properly. The same applies to true life microgreen and the following are tips to help increase shelf life.
1.Use an Appropriate Container
Clamshells are the containers of choice for most true life microgreen lovers. This is because they prevent the crushing of true life microgreen in the fridge. Also, the clamshell container remains airtight when properly closed. In case you buy microgreens in clamshells, leaving them in that container is advised. Should you buy them in bags, ensure that you don’t crush them against other items in your fridge. On the same note, it’s advised to keep the bag sealed.
2.Identify an Ideal Spot in Your Fridge
There are times when fridges exhibit some quirkiness. Items will sometimes freeze on the top shelf, whereas those on the lower shelf don’t. With this in mind, it would be a good idea to keep your true life microgreen far from the cool air vent. The logic behind this is that temperatures around the cool air vent do fluctuate. Therefore, you should avoid storing true leaf micro greens on your fridge’s top-shelf. The lower shelf offers consistent results that translate to increased shelf life. Don’t forget that 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 degrees Celsius is the recommended temperature.
3.Humidity
Humidity plays a major role when it comes to storage quality. Excess humidity does turn microgreens into a slimy mess even before their expiry date. Dryness also comes with its fair share of problems due to low humidity. The easiest way to maintain optimal humidity levels is by use of a paper towel.
Add a dry paper towel at the container’s bottom whenever humidity is high. This will help extend true leaf microgreen shelf life by absorbing excess moisture. On the other hand, use a slightly moist paper towel in case of low humidity. Doing so helps boost humidity. What if your micro greens lack moisture and are extremely wilted? Placing them in an ice bath will help reinvigorate them.
4.Learn about Differences in Micro Greens Varieties
Different micro green varieties come with different longevity. True leaf microgreen shelf life depends on various factors. Some of these are storage conditions, growing conditions, and seed source. With that said, radish microgreens, for example, usually have a two weeks shelf life. Pea shoots last longer and can go for up to three weeks at the very least. Being conversant with the shelf life of different microgreens will help you make suitable storage decisions.
5.Avoid Direct Sunlight
Some true leaf microgreen varieties change their taste and look when exposed to direct sunlight. Avoiding direct sunlight will help your microgreens keep their original look longer.
There is no doubt that microgreen popularity continues to grow with each passing day. This comes as no surprise owing to the many benefits of micro greens. Some people think that these are micro herbs that have little to offer. Nothing could be further from the truth. With the micro green varieties today, rest assured they do more than adding a tad more of dish color.
There are many ways of making true leaf microgreen part of your diet. Wondering how to make your salads crunchier? You can never go wrong with adding microgreens to salads. Thanks to the many micro green varieties available, blending them into juices and smoothies is possible. Broccoli and wheatgrass micro greens are particularly known as best options for juicing. Taking such juice in the morning is an ideal way to start your day.
Most dishes are a good match when combined with microgreens. Try microgreens with soups, pizzas, stir-fries, pasta, and curries to awaken your taste buds. It’s along the same lines that combining several microgreen types comes with great results. Combining pea shoots, arugula, beets and sunflowers is a good place to start.