Super Greens for Super Kids

The amazing benefits of microgreens for children's heath

- 

Microgreens are the tender immature seedlings of edible vegetables, flowers, herbs, and other plants. They are picked after cotyledon leaves appear, known for their potent tastes, vivid hues, and nutritional value. They are grown in soil after producing their first genuine set of leaves, and are produced from various commercial food crops, including cereals, vegetables, and herbs.

These bioactive compounds have been linked to numerous health benefits, including reducing oxidative stress and protecting cells from damage, underscoring their potential role in preventing the onset of various chronic conditions, bolstering immune function, regulating mood, reducing depression and anxiety symptoms, and enhancing overall well-being.

Microgreens, the small, sensory-rich micro-vegetables, are harvested 7-21 days after germination. They have unique flavours, textures, scents, and colours, and are 2-8 cm tall. They contain numerous phytonutrients, making them a potential "superfood" or "functional food." Micro greens can easily be grown at home.

Stepwise Process to Grow Microgreens at Home: Determine and quantify the ideal quantity of seeds required for your trays [Presoaked seed: 8-12 hours].

Have your growing media (vermiculite, perlite, peat, coconut coir dust) and trays ready (Moisten it from the bottom).

Fill your trays with seeds.Use a spray bottle to wet the media for growth of micro greens (keep it in a dark environment for a few days to assist the germination process).

After the germination process, seedlings can be exposed to sunlight (optimum photosynthetic photon flux (PPF)).

Use of calcium nitrate fertilizer can enhance yield.

Harvesting micro greens by using a clean, sharp knife or a pair of scissors (in 7-14-day after germination is complete).

Post harvesting: Store in polythene bags at 5 °C maintaining sterile conditions for storage.