If you've opened one of the Planted Detroit bundles, you've seen both microgreens that are tender with assertive flavors and baby greens that are petite and perfect for salads or stir-fry. While they are both young and nutrient-dense, a microgreen and a baby green are different things.
Both are champions of the baby greens universe, but how they grow, what they have to offer nutritionally, and how they shine on your plate are all different.
So, let's sort them out by flavor, texture, nutrition, and the ways to maximize them both. Spoiler alert: you don't have to choose. We are on both teams.
First Things First- What Are Microgreens and Baby Greens?
Let’s begin at the beginning.
Microgreens, the ‘baby’ of the plant world, are harvested 7-21 days after germination (when the first leaves [called cotyledons] are formed). While they are small, typically only a few inches tall, they are packed with intense flavors and nutrients.
Baby greens have grown longer, typically 15-40 days. They have their true leaves, are bigger, and have a softer and more familiar texture, like young, tender spinach or kale.
What are the differences in appearance and flavor?
Microgreens tend to be more colorful and have bolder and punchier flavors.
Baby greens are a bulk of your salad or smoothie and are bigger and mellower in flavor.
Here, at Planted Detroit, we love and grow them both hydroponically and sustainably!
Nutritional Breakdown: Which Packs the Bigger Punch?
You may have heard that microgreens are a superfood. They are a nutritional powerhouse for their size.
A number of studies, including those done by the NIH and composed of USDA data, have shown that microgreens can contain 4–40x the nutrition of their mature counterparts. Microgreens particularly shine in their high concentrations of:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Beta-carotene
Microgreens are harvested during a growth spurt when nutrient production peaks.
This doesn't mean that Baby Greens are a slacker. They are still loaded with nutrients and are a great source of fiber, folate, and iron. Both baby greens and microgreens are also great at supporting gut health, immune function, and energy metabolism, which are all especially beneficial when eaten fresh.
So, which is better? It honestly depends on your body and how you are eating them. However, if you are looking for nutritional density in a small handful, microgreens probably have the upper hand.
Taste, Texture, and Culinary Use
Let us dive into flavors. Microgreens are pulling their weight for their size. Flavor-wise, microgreens are like a seasoning from Mother Nature, with the flavor range being surprising:
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Arugula microgreens have a peppery bite.
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Sorrel microgreens have a citrus tang.
- Beet microgreens have earthy sweetness.
Microgreens are perfect for adding a punch to avocado toast, folding into omelets, topping tacos, or ladling over soup. Just a sprinkle can make a dish with a WOW factor and color.
Baby greens are more chill. Baby greens have a mild and versatile flavor and are great for:
- Big salad bowls
- Smoothie blends
- Light sautés or stir-fries
Baby greens have a soft texture, mild bitterness (varying by type), and a chewy bite that doesn't fall apart in larger portions. They still bring flavor without taking over your plate.
A handful of each in our Salad Bundles gives you delicate flavors, important nutrition, and textural variety in every bite!
How We Grow Our Greens at Planted Detroit
At Planted Detroit, we grow our greens hydroponically. Both microgreens and baby greens are grown in lots of vertical beds stacked right in the heart of the city.
That means no soil, no pesticides, and no lag time for shipping across the continent. We grow in clean-room-like environments, with precise climate control and LED lighting to simulate ideal growing conditions year-round. It also enables us to employ a harvest-to-doorstep practice in a matter of hours and not days or weeks.
We recycle water, minimize waste, and manage the perfect profile of nutrients for each growth stage. The whole process is science-based and sustainability-focused.
For microgreens, we employ short cycles and intense light to provide small bursts of growth. For baby greens, we have larger beds and longer cycles, and we deliver nutrients consistently.
And what do we get? Fresh greens that are clean, vibrant, and grown right in Detroit.
Choosing What’s Right for Your Plate
So, what should you choose? Microgreens or baby greens?
Here's our take: Use both and use your meals to guide you.
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If you're creating a smoothie, a large grain bowl, or a sautéed side, baby greens are the way to go.
- If you want to top your sandwich, add flavor to a flatbread, or create a little more flair for your salad, microgreens are a star.
Your lifestyle will also matter. If you're strapped for time, microgreens are a quick way to pack nutrition into little bites. If you love creating in the kitchen, baby greens are more flexible.
And the great news? You don't need to choose. Our bundles will include both, so you can explore and build meals around seasonal produce.
Want to learn about our growing process? Meet the Farm!
Let’s Keep Growing, Together
Ultimately, experimenting with different greens is not only a taste choice but a lifestyle one.
When you try new greens, it leads to conversations about where food comes from, how it’s grown, and the importance of food being fresh. We hope to help make that journey easier (and tastier).
Are you ready to experience the difference? Use one of our seasonal bundles, take a virtual tour, or come see us in person to see how we grow our greens from seed to salad.
We're on the 'gram! Follow us or subscribe to be kept up to date on when we drop new products, farm news, or delicious recipes. Let's continue to grow together!