Microgreens are the edible shoots of vegetables and herbs harvested when they are just a few weeks old. They are typically grown under controlled conditions.
Microgreens are much more nutrient-dense than traditional vegetables. This is because the leaves of the plants have not yet developed rigid cell walls, which prevents them from storing as many nutrients as older leaves can.
Some other benefits of eating microgreens are that they also have higher levels of antioxidants and phytonutrients, which help protect against chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease.
The best part about eating microgreens is that they are easy to grow in your home! Once you get a taste of all the microgreens and their great flavors, it can be easy to grow more than what you can handle. Microgreen balls are perfect for topping salads and finishing drinks, but they also tend to lose flavor quickly- so today we will take a look at some tips to dehydrate and store microgreens for longer use.
Steps to Successfully Dehydrate Microgreens and Store Them Long Term
Microgreens can be dehydrated to extend their shelf life up to 3 months! They are used in a wide range of foods, drinks, and more- they can even be made into a nutritious green powder. A dehydrator can be used to make your microgreens dried and preserved. It is best to use raw dehydration because that way you will be preserving more nutrients from the plant as well as retaining its color.
Drying Microgreens in Food Dehydrator
For best results, dehydrate your microgreens at a lower temperature such as 45 degrees Celsius. As a result, all the nutrients remain and it takes around 3 to 6 hours. Dried microgreens will be about 1/3 the size of their fresh counterparts.
The final step in dehydrating microgreens is called conditioning. Microgreens require conditioning to make sure that they are dry and free from moisture. If the greens are not conditioned, there is a chance for mold to form on the dried microgreens which ruin their quality. Let your microgreens cool before conditioning them to ensure that this does not happen or air dry them. Place the microgreens in a sealed plastic bag. Then leave the bag out overnight. The next day, open the bag and check for any dampness. If you find any, put them back into your dehydrator for at least an hour longer.
Drying Microgreens in Oven
Drying your microgreens without a dehydrator is possible! Simply preheat your oven to the lowest setting and lay them on the cookie sheet. Carefully monitor the oven temperature and make sure to leave the oven door open. This will help to prevent moisture from drowning out your microgreens. It takes microgreens 1.5 to 3 hours to dry in an oven. Check them often to avoid scorching.
Drying Microgreens in Air Fryer
Some air fryers can also be used for dehydrating microgreens. You need to make sure the temperature on the air fryer is set at a low setting and it should have good ventilation. When dehydrating microgreens in an air fryer, it's important to make sure you follow the owner's manual first.
How to Store and Use Dried Microgreens
Dehydrated microgreens can be preserved for up to 8-10 years if they are vacuum sealed in an airtight container and stored under the right conditions. In order to maintain their nutritional value and regenerative power, jarred microgreens should be eaten within 3 months of drying.
Even if microgreens aren't a household staple, there are actually a number of different ways that they can be used in the kitchen!
Spices for soups, salads, egg dishes, pasta, or sauces. This is particularly true for microgreens that have a bit of spice to them like radish microgreens.
Make your own green powder for smoothies and juices.
Like most foods, microgreens can be frozen in order to preserve them for a later time. Be warned that when thawed, they will no longer have the crisp, tender taste and texture they had before.
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