Advanced Microgreens: Exploring Exotic Varieties & Flavors!

 Advanced Microgreens: Exotic Varieties, Flavors & Growing Tips

You've mastered the basics of microgreen cultivation, enjoying your quick harvests of radish and broccoli. Now, are you ready to elevate your indoor garden and culinary creations? The world of advanced microgreens offers an incredible array of unique flavors, striking colors, and fascinating textures, transforming simple dishes into gourmet experiences. Moving beyond the common varieties opens up new possibilities for enhancing your meals and expanding your gardening skills.

This mini-blog will guide you into the exciting realm of advanced microgreens. We'll explore more exotic varieties, discuss specific nuances in their cultivation, and provide tips to ensure consistent success as you embark on a more adventurous microgreen journey.

Beyond the Basics: Exciting Advanced Microgreen Varieties to Try:

Once you're comfortable with the fundamentals, consider experimenting with these intriguing options:

• Herbs (Cilantro, Basil, Dill, Parsley): These are slower to germinate and grow but offer intense, concentrated flavors. They often benefit from a slightly longer growth period before harvesting.

• Amaranth (Red, Green): Known for its striking colors (especially red), amaranth microgreens have a mild, earthy, slightly sweet flavor and a tender texture. They can be a bit slower to germinate.

• Arugula: Offers a distinct peppery, slightly bitter kick. Grows relatively fast.

• Beet (Red, Bull's Blood): Produces vibrant red or purple stems and leaves, adding beautiful color and an earthy flavor. Germination can be a bit slower.

• Cabbage (Red, Green): Offers a mild, slightly peppery crunch. Red cabbage microgreens are particularly beautiful.

• Fennel: Delicate, feathery leaves with a subtle anise flavor.

• Kohlrabi: Crisp and slightly sweet, with a mild cabbage-like flavor.

• Chives / Leek (Alliums): These have a stronger oniony/garlicky flavor. They are often grown in soil and harvested after developing their first true leaf. They also benefit from a longer blackout period.

Advanced Growing Considerations & Tips:

While the core principles remain, these varieties might benefit from slightly adjusted techniques:

1. Soaking Seeds (Crucial for Some): Many larger or harder seeds, especially those of herbs (cilantro, basil, parsley) and alliums (chives, leek), benefit significantly from pre-soaking for 8-24 hours before planting. This softens the seed coat and speeds up germination. Change the water halfway through soaking if soaking for longer periods.

2. Longer Germination/Growth Times: Be patient! Exotic and herb microgreens often take longer to germinate (5-10 days) and reach harvest size (10-21 days) than fast-growing radish or broccoli.

3. Blackout Period Variation:

• Longer Blackout: For leggy greens like alliums or those that benefit from stretching, a longer blackout period (e.g., 5-7 days) can encourage taller, more uniform stems.

• Shorter Blackout: For varieties prone to mold or those that prefer light earlier, you might reduce the blackout to just 2-3 days once initial sprouts appear.

4. Seed Density Adjustment: While general advice is dense, some varieties (like larger sunflower or pea) might benefit from slightly less density to reduce competition and prevent mold. Smaller seeds like amaranth can be very dense.

5. Humidity Control: Adequate humidity is important during germination. After removing the blackout dome, ensure good air circulation (a small fan on low) to prevent dampening-off disease and mold, especially with dense plantings or slower-growing varieties.

6. Nutrient Consideration (Optional): While most microgreens get sufficient nutrients from a good seed starting mix, for very long-growing varieties (over 14 days) or if you plan multiple harvests (though most microgreens are single-harvest), a very diluted nutrient solution (e.g., 1/8 strength balanced liquid fertilizer) can be used after they develop true leaves. However, this is rarely necessary for typical microgreen harvests.

7. Pest & Mold Watch: With longer growing cycles and denser trays, keep a closer eye out for fungal issues (like white fuzzy mold) or tiny pests. Good air circulation and proper watering are your best defense. If mold appears, gently dab with a paper towel or increase air circulation.

Elevating Your Culinary Creations:

These advanced microgreens offer a new dimension to your dishes:

• Garnishes: Beet microgreens add stunning color to salads, soups, and even desserts.

• Flavor Boosts: Arugula microgreens instantly add a peppery kick to pizzas, pastas, and sandwiches. Cilantro and basil microgreens intensify the flavor of Asian or Italian dishes.

• Unique Salads: Combine various exotic microgreens for a gourmet salad mix with complex flavors and textures.

• Smoothie Enhancers: While often consumed raw, some, like kale or cabbage microgreens, can be blended into smoothies for an extra nutrient punch.

By delving into the world of advanced microgreens, you're not just growing food; you're cultivating a diverse palette of flavors and nutrients, right in your own indoor garden. Experiment, observe, and enjoy the rich rewards of these tiny powerhouses!

What's Next in Our 101 Tips?

We want to hear from you! 

What exotic microgreen variety are you most excited to try, and how do you plan to incorporate its unique flavor into your cooking? Share your advanced microgreen aspirations in the comments below!

Happy Gardening!