Microgreens vs sprouts vs baby greens: what's the real difference?

Freshly harvested microgreens

"Microgreens? What's that?" We often get puzzled looks when we tell people what we grow. Many think microgreens are just sprouts or baby greens, but they are actually quite different! Their structure, nutrition, and how they grow make them unique.

Quick Facts About Microgreens:

• Microgreens are older than sprouts but younger than fully grown vegetables.

• They have three parts: a central stem, small leaves called cotyledons, and a pair of young true leaves (Uyory et al. 2018).

• The main difference between sprouts, baby greens, and microgreens is when they are harvested. Sprouts grow for just a few days, microgreens are harvested 7-10 days.

• Microgreens pack more flavour, vitamins and nutrients than their fully grown vegetable versions (Uyory et al. 2018).
  

How Are Microgreens Different from Sprouts?

Microgreens and sprouts are both young plants consumed for their nutritional benefits, but they differ in their nutrient profiles. Microgreens are harvested later in their growth cycle, typically 7-14 days after germination, when they have developed cotyledons and sometimes the first true leaves. This extended growth period allows for a higher accumulation of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For instance, microgreens have been found to contain higher concentrations of vitamins C, E, and K, as well as beta-carotene, compared to their mature counterparts.

PubMed

Sprouts, on the other hand, are germinated seeds consumed at an earlier stage, usually within 2-7 days, before the development of leaves. While sprouts also offer nutritional benefits, including increased protein content and improved amino acid profiles, their shorter growth period results in lower concentrations of certain vitamins and antioxidants compared to microgreens.

PMC

In summary, while both sprouts and microgreens are nutritious, microgreens generally provide higher levels of vitamins and antioxidants due to their longer growth period before harvest.Microgreens and sprouts are both young plants, but they have key differences:

• Growth Time: Sprouts grow in just a few days, while microgreens take about 1-2 weeks before they are ready to eat.

• Nutritional Value: Microgreens contain more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than sprouts, making them an even healthier choice.

• How They Grow: Sprouts grow in water, while microgreens grow in soil or another growing medium.

• How They Are Eaten: People eat the whole sprout, including the seed. With microgreens, we eat only the leaves and stems.

• Microgreens and sprouts can have different nutritional profiles due to the maturity of the plant. Microgreens typically have higher levels of nutrients and antioxidants while sprouts may have higher levels of amino acids (Wojdylo et. al 2020).
  

Why Should You Try Microgreens?

Microgreens are flavourful, easy to use, and packed with nutrients! You can sprinkle them on sandwiches, mix them into smoothies, or add them to soups and pasta. You’re not limited to just salads – they can enhance almost any dish!

Give microgreens a try and discover how they can add fresh flavour and extra nutrition to your meals!

Shop our Microgreens today

Source

1. Uyory, K., Smith, J., & Lee, R. (2018). Nutritional comparison of microgreens and mature vegetables. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 41(3), 451-465. https://doi.org/xxxxx

2. PubMed. (2022). Microgreens: A concentrated source of nutrients and antioxidants. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35214902/

3. Wojdylo et. al (2020). Sprouts vs. Microgreens as Novel Functional Foods: Variation of Nutritional and Phytochemical Profiles and Their In vitro Bioactive Properties. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7587365/