Were you thinking of trying out cabbage microgreens? Wondering what cabbage microgreens taste like? Here’s everything you need to know about these tasty little greens.
Cabbage microgreens could be an alternative if you like the taste of adult cabbages but want to grow them as your own superfood. As microgreens, they taste a bit milder, and they are also pretty sweet and crunchy. The flavor is mainly dependent on the variety, but they are mostly tender and flavorful.
Beyond the versatility of cabbage in kitchen dishes, the most preferred type of cabbage microgreen is the red cabbage. Cabbage microgreens are healthier than mature cabbages as they can contain up to five times the nutritional value of their mature plants.
What Are Cabbage Microgreens
You may be more familiar with the large cabbage head coming in red, green, or white than the microgreen. Cabbage belongs to the same family as cauliflower and kale. For centuries it has been one of the more common vegetables used in cooking. Today it’s an important part of many cuisines around the world.
As microgreens, they look completely different than their full-grown counterpart but offer the same taste and even higher nutrition levels.
Cabbage microgreens are essentially tiny leafy plants grown from cabbage seeds. They can be grown in different varieties, and the more common one is the Red Acre. The green leaves are accompanied by deep purple stems, making them popular as a garnish.
Cabbage microgreens are nothing short of nutrition. They are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, but they are also a good source of manganese, sulforaphane, folate, and biotin.
How To Grow Cabbage Microgreens
Cabbage microgreens are super easy to grow, and within two weeks you can enjoy this healthy and tasty green. Even though they don’t look like the full-grown cabbage, you’ll get the crunchiness and same flavor.
Unlike many other microgreen seeds, you don’t need to presoak your cabbage seeds before growth. As long as you tend to the plants growing conditions and keep the soil moist, growth is evident as fast as three days.
- Get The Right Seeds
Avoid chemically treated seeds as they can be toxic to human health when ingested. Due to the general fast rate at which cabbage microgreens grow, there is very little time to purge the seeds of these chemicals.
- Always Go With A Thin Layer Of Soil
Thicker soil means thicker roots. Any good soil you use for plants or vegetables will do, and compost is a bonus. There are many various growing mediums to use, such as sterilized soil, coconut coir, or hemp. They have different qualities and advantages. Pick one that you have already or want to try out. We use coconut coir and have great success with it.
READ MORE: Best Growing Medium For Microgreens
Fill your growing bowls or tray with soil adequate for your seed’s intended quantity. Make sure to keep this bowl or tray punctured to allow for a free flow of air and water to seep out easily. We use this method to allow for bottom watering. It means that you water your seeds from the top before they start to grow, and when they have roots, you can water them from the bottom.
- Evenly And Densely Spread Out Your Cabbage Seeds On Top Of Your Moist Soil
When spreading your seeds, keep them from being too concentrated in a particular area. Gently spread the seeds, lightly enough to contact the soil but not deeply enough to sink. Not covering the cabbage seeds with soil helps you grow out neater microgreens.
- Lightly Spray The Seeds
Spray the seeds with regular water before covering the tray and keeping it away in a dark but cool environment. This dark environment is to aid germination. Keep them in the dark for around 3-5 days. Continue to keep the roots and medium moist but not soaked.
Remember to check your seeds after three days, as the first sign of germination is evident at this point.
- Bring them some light
Once the seeds have germinated, move them out of the dark and keep them under a constant light source until harvest. Continue watering your microgreens twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. You should keep them constantly moist (but not soaked).
You can estimate another five to 9 days until they have reached a length of about 2 inches.
Make sure to give them around 6-8 hours of natural light a day, or if you are using growing light you can leave them up to 12-15 hours. Do note that direct sunlight is too harsh for this purpose.
READ MORE: Microgreen Lighting Guide: Choosing Your Lights
The Best Microgreen Cabbage To Grow
There are as many different cabbage microgreens as there are full-grown vegetables. This highly nutritious and tasty vegetable comes in red, green, and white, and there are various varieties within the three. Some common types grown as microgreens are the Golden Acre, the Red Acre, the Pak Choi, and the Glory of Enkhuizen.
Red cabbage microgreens are one of the best for growing as microgreens. They are especially rich in nutrients that are great for your immune system and help the body to prevent several diseases. Loaded with antioxidants, different amino acids, and several vital vitamins, the dietary benefits of red cabbage are widely publicized.
While it’s not uncommon to find red cabbage in the kitchen, fresh microgreens from this plant are more nutrient-dense. They also provide an even more significant amount of health benefits. (source)
Benefits Of Eating Red Cabbage Microgreens
The Red Cabbage Microgreens is filled with goodness that makes good for your health. They are filled with vitamins, antioxidants, and other health advantages.
Incorporating the red cabbage microgreens in your diet can contribute to many health benefits. Let us go through what makes it so great!
Weight Loss And Other Health Benefits
According to a study made by the American Chemical Society, red Cabbage microgreens can help prevent weight gain and keep cholesterol at healthy levels.
Microgreen leaves, according to a recent study, contain 40 times the nutrient level of their mature counterpart and red cabbage microgreens even more. Red cabbage is beneficial in helping the body get rid of bad cholesterol which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Boost your immune system
The cabbage microgreens can give your immune system a real boost! They contain a high concentration of vitamins A, C, K, B6, and antioxidants, and Healthline outlines eight impressive benefits to enhance your health.
Gastrointestinal Health
You can find vitamin U in red cabbages in large amounts. This compound aids in gastrointestinal health and keeps your stomach lining protected, according to a study made by National Center for Biotechnology Information.
Anthocyanins
Red cabbage is also a rich source of anthocyanins. The presence of Anthocyanins does more than just color foods, it’s also known due to their possible health benefits as dietary antioxidants.
Enjoying Your Microgreen Cabbage
Cabbage microgreens do not only have great taste but are also gorgeous for their looks. This is what makes them so popular to use as garnish. However, there is more to this little green.
There are several ways to enjoy your cabbage microgreen, from juicing them for smoothies to including them in soup or sandwich wraps and salads. Cabbage microgreens are super accommodating and would mix well with other fruit or food options such as strawberry, tomatoes, avocados, roasted chickpeas, or even caramelized cauliflower. The range is limitless.
They are also perfect for weight loss diets or fitness diets as they powerpack excellent nutrients helpful to the body and can be downed in as easy as a simple cup of smoothie.
Some Last Words
Growing your microgreen cabbage spans beyond just jumping on the trend of easy and fast-growing plants. When done correctly and harvested, they can aid the body in the fight against many unhealthy cells, improve weight loss and boost overall immune health.
You can also make a range of delicious and nutritious healthy food with these little plants at little to no stress.
Can I grow them hydroponically along with my broccoli?
Hi Elaine,
Yes, cabbage microgreens can be grown both in soil and hydroponically.