The broccoli microgreen is one of the most popular ingredients in our community, and with good reason. These little greens are a powerhouse of nutrition, flavor, and versatility.
You can eat them on toast, in salads, and in smoothies. Broccoli microgreens surely make your greens intake easier and more fun.
Our broccoli microgreens are grown with care in Michigan’s largest vertical farm, and they can be found in our ready-made salad bundles. And if you feel inspired, they are also one of the easiest greens to grow at home!
This is a beginner-friendly guide to one of the healthiest greens, the broccoli microgreen, and how you can grow and eat it.
What Exactly Are Broccoli Microgreens?
Whether you have had a handful of greens with delicate stems and strong flavor in a salad or a smoothie, chances are you are familiar with broccoli microgreens. Broccoli microgreens are the tender shoots of the broccoli plant, harvested 7 to 14 days after they have sprouted. Microgreens are harvested at the young stage, where the nutrient content is highest, not weeks or months later like mature broccoli, which will have a thick stalk with a flower head. Broccoli microgreens are made up of tiny green leaves, crisp stems, and a bright green color that, nutrition-wise, is a powerhouse.
The efficiency of broccoli microgreens makes them truly unique. They grow quickly, require little space, and have a dense nutritional content. There’s a reason they are usually included in our signature salad bundles.
The Nutritional Powerhouse in a Small Leaf
You probably already know veggies are good for you, but when it comes to nutrition, broccoli microgreens take it up a notch.
Broccoli microgreens are especially high in sulforaphane, a plant compound that has anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects. Sulforaphane can be found in high amounts in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and is associated with reduced oxidative stress and improved cellular health. This is supported by various studies on sulforaphane, including one that espouses its anti-cancer properties. It also has anti-inflammatory effects (reduced chronic inflammation) and plays a major role in supporting detox pathways.
Broccoli microgreens can contain up to 40 times as many nutrients as mature broccoli per gram. These nutrients include
- Vitamins A, C, E, and K
- Plant-based protein
- Dietary fiber
- Essential minerals and antioxidants
So, yes, when we talk about the benefits of microgreens, we are talking about a whole lot of benefits in a small package.
How Do Broccoli Microgreens Taste?
The flavors of broccoli microgreens are fresh, crisp, and unexpectedly mild. It is not the strong or even bitter flavor you would expect from mature broccoli florets. You will detect a gentle peppery bite with a hint of sweetness that even makes them safe for the pickiest of eaters.
They have a clean, vegetable flavor with light nutty undertones. This flavor profile fits into a nice space with both savory and fresh foods. Unlike the full-grown vegetable, which can have heaviness and its own sponginess, these green leaves are light and airy and perfect for stacking to serve on just about anything.
Some of our favorite uses:
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Salad: Top a layer of microgreens to add crunch and flavor. You can find microgreens in our salad bundles, ready to eat.
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Avocado toast: Add a sprinkle of greens for color, texture, and nutrients.
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Smoothies: Overdose your smoothie with nutritious fresh green goodness!
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Soup/grain bowls: Add as garnish for a fancy edible finish.
They are nutritious, an essential addition to your diet, and delicious!
How We Grow Broccoli Microgreens at Planted Detroit
At Planted Detroit, we grow broccoli microgreens in a vertical hydroponic system, in the largest vertical farm in Michigan. This means we can grow ultra-fresh greens year-round, without worrying about the weather or using pesticides.
We start the growing process in tightly controlled environments, where we can set and maintain optimal humidity, temperature, and light for each growing plant. By stacking trays of growing plants vertically under specialized LED lights, we can optimize our growing space while keeping our farm footprint as small as possible.
We do not employ soil or chemicals; rather, we work with clean water systems, breathable grow mats, and time-tested hydroponic techniques that have allowed us to grow consistent, fresh, safe greens.
Because we are located right here in Detroit, we can deliver greens directly to you on Wednesdays, often just hours after harvest. That freshness you are tasting is a big part of why we grow greens in Detroit!
Want to Grow Your Own? Here’s How
While we love delivering fresh broccoli microgreens to your door, there are great benefits to growing your own at home.
Here’s what you will need to get started:
- Organic broccoli seeds
- A shallow, flat tray
- Soil or grow pad
- A spray bottle and water
- Indirect sunlight or a grow light
Here is a step-by-step procedure:
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Soak your seeds overnight in water.
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Spread your seeds out evenly on moist soil or your grow pad.
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Mist them lightly and cover with another tray or lid.
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Keep them in a dark and warm place until they germinate (around 2-3 days).
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After germination, uncover and let them enjoy indirect sunlight or a grow light.
- Mist and water lightly, and once the first true leaves appear, harvesting is a week away (5-7 days).
Growing your food is fun and a great way to experience closely some of the benefits of microgreens. It also allows for experimentation with different trays, lighting setups, or mixed microgreens!
Ready to Taste the Difference?
If you're interested in the taste and health benefits of broccoli microgreens, the easiest way to experience them is through our thoughtfully curated salad bundles.
Whether you need a midweek reset or just want something with some color and life in your fridge, our bundles are delivered each Wednesday, straight from our farm to your home.
In addition to our bundles, you can also find Planted Detroit products on Market Wagon, the largest online farmers market, making it easier to add some local, vertically farmed goodness to your week.
Let us know if you try growing your own or discover your favorite way to eat them. We love to hear a good salad story!