Harvest your daily shot of green juice- Microgreens, the superfood.

Farming your own microgreens 

What's the best way to incorporate essential nutrients into your diet in the best way possible? You could say store-bought supplements but that doesn't sound too exciting, does it?

As you should know, most things green and leafy are packed with a multitude of vitamins and minerals. These nutrients start depleting as soon as it is harvested, processed and packaged. A preferable alternative is consuming it straight from its source. 

Some of the healthiest, nutrient-dense sources are Microgreens. Which are basically germinating seeds, 2-3 inches tall where the first leaves can be seen. These popular superfoods, hold immense potential for improving the nutritional value of human diet.

Studies even suggest that microgreens contain higher levels of nutrients than mature vegetables. 

These seeds could be anything you find in the kitchen. Some of the most popular ones are mustard, chia, wheatgrass, cilantro, basil, reddish, spinach, beetroot, pea shoots, flax

and a whole lot more. The micro-scale production of these microgreens can be grown in a very simple way, even in small spaces and suitable for urban agriculture; especially if homegrown will be pesticide-free.

Here's how I do it:

1. My choice of Microgreens is usually a combination of Wheatgrass, Chia and/or Flax. Pre-soak the seeds for 24 hours in water.
   
   
2. To begin with, take a shallow plastic container/tray and fill it with not more than one inch of soil (or any growing medium of your preference) and make sure it is moist.
   
   
3. Cover the soil with a layer of tissue paper. (Makes it easier while harvesting)
   
   
4. Usually, for Chia and flax, I prefer to use a layer of tissue paper and an old newspaper as a growing medium. (If you do choose to do this, make sure it is always moist)
   
   
5. Evenly sprinkle the presoaked seed on to this and using a spray bottle water it every time you notice the tissue going dry.
   Microgreens work best for indoor production, so make sure to keep it somewhere indoors with adequate light exposure like on the balcony or beside a window.
   
   
6. Within a day or two, you will begin to see the first signs of life as the germination process begins.
   
   
7. By day 7 your microgreens should be ready to harvest. Wheatgrass might take an additional couple of days to reach the desired height of 4-6 inches. For Chia and Flax, at 2 inches the first leaves will be prominent making it ready for harvest.
   

My balcony farm:
Left- Wheatgrass; Right- Chia; Center- a harvested handful

Ready to harvest: Flax

Once you've harvested the required amount, wash it and juice them in a blender with some water and its ready to drink. Additionally, you can add honey or other fruits to alter the flavour if needed. Although wheatgrass on its own has a mild sweetness to it. (Try not to strain it as the pulp holds the bulk of nutrition)

Cheers!
30ml shot of goodness

Note:  

• There will be rapid quality deterioration as soon as it is harvested, so its best to consume immediately and in the uncooked form. (With thorough washing beforehand of course)
  
  
• Consuming this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach is said to be most effective.
  
  
• Microgreens are often easily confused with sprouts. Sprouts are seeds germinated in water to grow roots and don't necessarily need light exposure. Microgreens, however, need sunlight and a growing medium and at least 7 days before you can harvest them.