What Are Microgreens?

Understandably, microgreens (seedlings of green vegetables and herbs) are as popular now as ever before. As a relatively new culinary ingredient, microgreens provide rich flavors, vivid colors, and crisp texture when added to salads and any other food preparations, for that matter. With remarkable nutritional benefits, microgreens represent a healthy addition to anyone’s diet. A recent study determined the concentrations of essential vitamins or provitamins A, C, E, and K1 in 25 commercially available microgreens. Results showed that different microgreens provide widely varying amounts of the four vitamins, but regardless they generally have significantly higher concentrations of these phytonutrients in comparison with mature leaves from the same plant species. These phytonutrient data provide the first scientific basis for evaluating nutritional benefits of microgreens. When included in the USDA food composition database, the information can be used by health agencies and consumers alike to make educated choices about inclusion of microgreens as part of a healthy diet.