A fine introduction to Sproutpeople's growing selection of Micro-Greens. This sampler can be quite an education - providing you experience with growing, and a small taste of the potential of Micro-Greens.
For Growing Instructions, click the name of the Seed or Mix you want to grow.
The Seeds
Alfalfa
Though most famous as a Leafy Sprout, Alfalfa is also consumed by humans as a grown plant in some parts of the world. It makes for an easy introduction to the difference between sprouts and Micro-Greens, as it is simple to grow and - assuming you are familiar with the flavor and texture of Alfalfa Sprouts - you will discover what makes these two ways of growing a seed into a plant unique.
Arugula
This mildly spicy Brassica (the same family as Broccoli, Cabbage, Mustard, Radish...)
has one of the greatest flavors on earth! Arugula is a very fast grower which must Not be soaked (when grown alone) because it is mucilaginous. , or
our small but very attractive Micro-Greens device; the Miniature Garden
and watch your crop grow - in just 5-7 days - into the tastiest green food you've ever experienced. Once you have enjoyed Arugula you won't be able to imagine life without it!
The secret ingredient in our French Garden Mix, Arugula was not available as an organic crop back in 1994. Working for years with our dear farmer friends Mark + Ila we have established it as a standard certified organic crop which has been added by many a wise sprout grower to their ingredient list.
Arugula along with Cress (which has exactly the same organic history), Onion and Garlic Chive are without a doubt the most essential flavor additions to any sprout kitchen, but to us
Arugula is the most essential and unique!
Broccoli
Famous for it's antioxidant content; Broccoli sprouts contain something like 50 times the sulfurophane found in mature broccoli, by weight. Broccoli Greens haven't been researched to the best of our knowledge, so we can't be sure of nutritional specifics - but they are wonderfully tender and tasty - especially if you like broccoli.
We've grown thousands of pounds of Broccoli Sprouts since 1997. We have purchased our Broccoli seed from the same farmer since 1998. Their seed always produces large flavorful sprouts. Given the almost complete lack of available seed, we feel very fortunate to have it! BUT - it is NON-Organic. We hope to offer certified organic seed someday, but for now this is truly the best there is in flavor, yield and germination.
We Sproutpeople are pretty Green people. We got certified organic in 1993. We've purchased seed from organic farmers for over 15 years - in some cases demanding they raise their prices (we NEED them to be successful if we are to be able to buy from them in the future). We have grown our own organic garden (we even moved back-to-the-land in search of self-sufficiency), and have raised some our own seed over the years. We have long eaten a mostly organic diet. We stock 90 seeds these days - all but 2 are from sources that are certified organic. Broccoli is one. If there was organic Broccoli seed available that grew sprouts even close to the quality and flavor of the sprouts produced by our seed, we would have it. The reality is that since 90 percent of the world's Broccoli seed comes from a very small area (in the southwestern US), where there are seemingly no organic farmers, there just isn't any organic seed that compares. Our farmer assures us that there is very little chemical input used in Broccoli seed production, and there is none at all close to harvest time. We feel good enough about this seed to eat its sprouts ourselves. We have fed these sprouts to our dogs since they were pups, and our children since they were infants. Enough said.
Cress
Also known as Pepper Grass, this spicy Brassica is, in flavor, something like Watercress. There is no other flavor quite like the Cress'. They are fantastic!
It is a very fast grower which (since it is mucilaginous) must not be soaked when grown alone. Just sprinkle some seeds on moist soil or similar medium,
a thoroughly moistened Hemp Bag or our cute little Micro-Greens device, a Miniature Garden and watch your crop grow - in just 5-7 days - into a wonderfully tasty Micro-Green which will become a necessary ingredient in your sprout kitchen.
Also a great crop to grow in your office along with other Micro-Greens, especially if you use the Miniature Garden!
Radish
An exceptionally tasty and aromatic Brassica, Radish is a staple to us - and every other professional sproutperson. Micros will be milder than (not as hot) the sprouts produced by these same seeds. Radish Micro-Greens are a beautiful addition to salads, tea sandwiches, or as a garnish for any gourmet plate. We provided Radish sprouts, and later these Micro-Greens to a world class French restaurant (L'etoile) in Madison, Wisconsin. The Owner and Head Chef, Odessa Piper (voted best chef in the Mid-West in 2001) used them as a garnish, circling some of her already awesomely beautiful plates.
