Microgreens are young seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs that are harvested just after the cotyledon leaves have developed with one set of true leaves. They are not to be confused with sprouts or shoots. Microgreens are used as a visual, flavor, and texture enhancement in various dishes, and they are used to add sweetness and spiciness to foods. They are smaller than “baby greens” because they are harvested soon after sprouting, rather than after the plant has matured to produce multiple leaves. Microgreens provide garnishing for salads, soups, sandwiches, and plates, and some recipes use them as a garnish while others use them as a main ingredient. Microgreens began showing up on chefs menus as early as the 1980s in San Francisco, and they have been grown in most areas of the United States, with an increasing number of varieties.

Microgreens have three basic parts: a central stem, cotyledon leaf or leaves, and typically, the first pair of very young true leaves. They vary in size depending upon the specific variety grown, with the typical size being 1 to 1.5 in (25 to 38 mm) in total length. When the plant grows beyond this size, it is generally no longer considered a microgreen.

Microgreens are packed with intense flavors, featuring complex flavor profiles. They can also provide a nice textural contrast. Microgreens are considered baby plants, falling somewhere between a sprout and baby green. They are nutritious and may offer many health benefits. Early research has indicated that microgreens contain up to 40% more phytochemicals (beneficial nutrients and components) than their full-grown counterparts. Microgreens can support gut health, and foods that are high in dietary fiber, like microgreens, can ease constipation or other gastrointestinal distress when eaten as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Microgreens can be grown from many different types of seeds, and the most popular varieties are produced using seeds from the following plant families: Brassicaceae family, Asteraceae family, Apiaceae family, Amaryllidaceae family, and Amaranthaceae family. Microgreens can be conveniently grown at home, and those interested in harvesting their own microgreen crops can do so by following simple steps.