In this day and age, food is no longer just about sustenance or even simply taste. Food, particularly food presented in a fine dining establishment or at a dinner party, is expected to look just as good as it tastes. It must be pleasing to the eye, not just the tongue. Even children prefer their food to have 6 different colors and 7 different food components (compared to adults, who prefer 3 colors and 3 food components). This need for beauty and creativity is one of the many reasons why more and more people are turning to microgreens.
What Are Microgreens?
The term microgreens refers to both tiny vegetable greens and the varieties of edible flowers … also tiny … that can come with them. Microgreens have been around for nearly 30 years, with their popularity growing as people realize that they’re both beautiful and delectable. Whether used in salads or as an accompaniment to a meat dish, they always serve their purpose: to enhance the look and flavor of the meal.
Can I Grow Microgreens?
One of the issues to get out of the way is how to grow microgreens. The process of growing microgreens can be much more difficult than growing other plants, due to the tiny size and specific requirements of microgreens. In certain environments it can be virtually impossible to grow microgreens. Even storing microgreens has the requirement of temperatures of 4 degrees Celsius or 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re looking to add petite greens or flowers to your restaurant or even your personal dinner, you’re much better off buying them from an experience microgreen provider. Attempting to grow microgreens yourself will likely result in the loss of time and money.
Alternative Uses For Microgreens
Microgreens aren’t limited to sprout … like tiny vegetables. There are also micro herbs available, which add a twist to meals without overpowering their overall flavoring as regular … sized herbs. Edible flower petals that can be found in microgreens have been popular ingredients in dishes for some time now. Furthermore, candied flowers … particularly real flowers altered to last longer with candy coating … are extremely popular additions to many sweet treats. Edible flowers are often important parts of cake decorating, particularly when it comes to wedding cakes.
Microgreens are a way of incorporating a more stylish touch into your dishes. They enhance while not overwhelming both the beauty and flavor of a multitude of foods, and while not easy to grow, they are more than worth their value. Quite literally, they bring a lot to the table, and diners will be delighted to see them on their plates.