People are no longer satisfied with the same old, same old when it comes to their food. They want things that are literally fresh and different — things that we don’t often see incorporated into meals. For that matter, the recent trend towards veganism and vegetarianism puts the pressure on chefs to come up with meals that will appeal to everyone, including those who don’t eat meat. It can be a challenge to think of things that are both tasty and appealing to the eye, while at the same time being environmentally friendly. Luckily, there are certain types of specialty produce that are reinvigorating the market and for that matter, more than meeting the challenges that cooking healthy and well presents. These include micro greens, which have moved beyond a trend and are more and more frequently becoming staples of fine dining establishments. There are many advantages to using micro greens, as you’ll see below — for one thing, there are many different micro green varieties on the market. These varieties can be incorporated into sweet and savory dishes alike, and are transforming the way that we look at food and greens in general. With that being said, let’s dive into microgreens and what sets them apart from your typical edible plants.
What Are Microgreens?
Despite the fact that there are so many different micro green varieties out there, many remain unaware of their existence and how they can be used. The fact is that though microgreens have been around for 20 to 30 years, until recently they’ve remained more of a niche market. Only now are they being truly recognized for their pleasing appearance and delicate flavors. In the past, microgreens were used more often as garnishes — and they still can be. There’s something to be said about a garnish and the visual flair that it adds to the plate. People do tend to appreciate food more when it looks as good as it tastes. While a visual appeal can’t make up for a bad meal, it does enhance a good one. It’s believed that when it comes to how food is plated, children prefer six food colors and seven different food components, while adults prefer three different colors and three food components. Certainly with children — who are notoriously picky — it’s easier to get them to try more daring food combinations when they have a greater variety of color. Again, though — many micro green varieties come in the forms of micro herbs or edible flowers, which don’t just look good but bring certain flavors to the table.
How Can Microgreens Be Used Outside Of Garnishes
Say you want to use microgreens for something other than a garnish. The interesting thing about micro green varieties is that many are literally just much smaller versions of familiar vegetables and herbs. You may want to incorporate tiny carrots and cabbages into a meal — they will have the same flavors as the normal versions, just in a much smaller scale. This adds a bit of delicacy to a meal that would otherwise be difficult to achieve. Now, some people like to look into the different varieties of edible flowers as well as those of microgreens. It’s believed that there are over 100 types of common garden flowers that are not only edible, but actually palatable. These flowers range in flavor — while some are quite sweet, others are actually savory. Sweeter flowers are ideal for baking, and can be sugared and crystallized in a way that is both delicious and pleasing to the eye.
Can I Grow My Own Microgreens?
You are heavily advised against growing your own microgreens — and here’s why. Microgreens are not the type of things that can be treated lightly. For one thing, they’re incredibly difficult to grow. For another, they must be stored in particular temperatures — ideally, four degrees Celsius, or 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit. As such, you should probably stick to buying microgreens from a trusted seller.