Lemon balm microgreens - 3-pack

Microgreens are young shoots of vegetables, herbs or aromatic plants, harvested between 8 and 30 days after germination, when they have developed their first true leaves.

A veritable concentrate of flavors and nutrients, they contain up to 40 times more vitamins and minerals than their adult counterparts. Their wide range of tastes (sweet, tangy, spicy...) and vibrant colors make them prized ingredients in the kitchen, both for their taste and their aesthetic appeal.

Both microgreens and traditional Lingots^® are designed for use in autonomous Véritable^® gardens, but there are several notable differences between them, notably in terms of growing time, format and specific characteristics.

Growing time
Lingots^® microgreens are designed for short cultivation periods, generally between 3 and 4 weeks,as microgreens do not grow back after harvesting. They are grown, harvested and discarded after a rapid cycle.


Traditional Véritable Lingots^®, on the other hand, are designed for longer cultivation, allowing plants to develop for several months, depending on the type of plant, and to continue growing after harvesting.


Format and design
The  microgreens Lingot^® has a different format from traditional ones. It is shallower, which is better suited to the shallow roots of microgreens.


This Lingot^® also requires a specific growing basket, developed by Véritable^®. This basket is retractable, making it easier to handle and harvest the microgreens. What's more, it's fitted with single-use biodegradable wicks for optimal irrigation.

Microfoams offer numerous nutritional, culinary and practical benefits:

A concentrate of nutrients: They contain up to 40 times more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than the adult plant, boosting immunity, energy and vitality.

A culinary asset: Their intense, varied flavors (sweet, tangy, spicy...) enhance dishes, while their colors add a refined aesthetic touch.

Quick and easy to grow: They sprout in just a few days, providing an ultra-fresh harvest all year round, effortlessly and without waste.

A culinary showcase: Whether in the dining room or in the kitchen, the up-to-the-minute harvest is a major differentiator, especially for restaurateurs who advocate local cuisine.

An ecological approach: Grown at home, they reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting and packaging food, traditionally presented in plastic trays.

Most microgreens don't grow back after harvesting, as they are cut too low to regenerate their growth. As the root remains in the soil and the plant is still at a very young stage, it doesn't have the energy to regrow.

However, some varieties can produce a second shoot. This regrowth is often slower, less abundant, more fibrous and sometimes less tasty than the first crop.

Even if some microgreens can be cut several times, it's more efficient to grow a new Microgreens Lingot. Indeed, the risks of disease, mold and depletion of substrate nutrients make regrowth less attractive than a new crop.

However, if you want to experiment, certain species such as peas or onions offer better chances of success.

Harvesting microgreens is a simple task, but it does require a little care to ensure fresh, quality plants.

You'll need clean, sharp tools to avoid damaging the young shoots:

Cut stems at the base: Use your scissors or pruning shears to cut stems just above the substrate. Avoid pulling or tearing the shoots, as this could damage the roots or the crop.

Handle with care: Micro-shoots are very fragile, so take care not to crush or damage them.

Arrange directly on the plat

Sprouted seeds and microgreens are both derived from the same seeds, but they differ in the way they are grown and their stage of development.

Sprouted seeds are generally eaten between 5 and 7 days old, whereas micropods are eaten after 8 to 10 days. Sprouted seeds (seed and germ) are consumed in their entirety, whereas only the stem and leaves are eaten with micro-pods.

Sprouted seeds are eaten as soon as they start to grow,before the leaves appear, and are grown in a humid environment with no substrate. They are rich in nutrients and easy to grow, but present an increased risk of bacterial contamination due to their growing conditions.

Conversely, microfoamsare grown in a substrate and harvested after the first true leaves appear, making them safer to eat.

Microgreens also offer a higher nutrient content, a wider range of flavors and better post-harvest shelf life. They are highly appreciated in the kitchen for their intense flavor and aesthetic appeal, bringing color and texture to dishes. Although they require a little more time and care to grow, their nutritional and taste benefits make them an excellent alternative to sprouted seeds.

Cotyledons and first true leaves are two distinct types of leaves in the development of a plant:

Cotyledons:
These are the first “leaves” to appear during germination. They are part of the seed and serve primarily to nourish the young shoot by providing energy reserves. Simple and smooth, cotyledon leaves are often oval or heart-shaped.


First true leaves:
These appear after the cotyledons and resemble the plant's adult leaves, but are more complex, with veins and sometimes serrated edges. Unlike cotyledons, they are responsible for photosynthesis, enabling the plant to produce its own energy and continue growing.

In the case of microgreens, they are generally harvested when the first true leaves begin to form, just after the cotyledon stage.

It depends on the variety:

• Before the appearance of true leaves: Some micro-sprouts, such as broccoli, kohlrabi, turnips or radishes, are harvested at the cotyledon stage.
• After the first true leaves have formed: For others, such as mustard, basil, coriander, parsley or fennel, we wait until the true leaves appear, as they enhance flavor and sometimes nutritional value.

In short, the ideal harvesting time depends on the desired taste and the variety grown.

The nutrients integrated in the Lingots^® are used to nourish the plant so that it grows. All plants need mineral elements, they are essential for their growth.

In our Lingots^® we use mineral salts similar to those found in nature (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) directly assimilated by plants and compatible with our hydroponic system. In any case, these nutrients are transformed by the plant. Unlike pesticides, you do not find them in your plate!

For example, mineral nitrogen is transformed by the plant into amino acids, then proteins, essential for your diet and that of animals.

The Véritable^® garden has been designed as a global technology that makes growing plants as simple as possible. Lingots^® are therefore an integral part of this autonomous and efficient system, and are specifically adapted to our passive hydroponic system.

Using something else than Lingots^® in the Véritable^® garden is not viable for these simple reasons:

1. Unlike the potting soil, the Lingots^®' substrate is specifically developed to assure optimum oxygenation and root anchoring in a small space. It acts as a sponge compatible with our capillary irrigation system allowing an ideal humidity level at all times.
   
   
2. The Lingot^® already incorporates nutrients adapted to the needs of each plant, allowing regular harvests for a period of 4 to 6 months.
   
   
3. The varieties of plants that we propose have been selected for their pronounced tastes, their productivity and their adult size adapted to the dimensions of the Véritable^® garden.

With these Lingots^®, you can grow your plants in a simple and clean way. No need to have a green thumb to succeed!

Microfoams are best eaten raw, to liven up dishes, soups, salads, sandwiches or even smoothies.

However, microfoams can also be cooked, although they are more commonly used as a raw ingredient because of their fresh taste and nutritional benefits.

When cooking, it is advisable to incorporate them into your dishes at the end of cooking, or to cook them very briefly to preserve their flavours and nutritional values.