Are Microgreens Just Tiny Lettuce Leaves?

Traditional side salad with chopped lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes, topped with a mix of microgreens

Are Microgreens just tiny lettuce leaves? Believe it or not, the question is more complex than you may think. Depending on who is answering the question will depend on their answer. So let's ask 3 different people:

• The Master Chef: Unequivocally No! A microgreen is a complex flavor profile with a delicate texture. It can be used as an elevated garnish—not a salad base. 👨‍🍳👎

• The Average Home Cook: Maybe. In my opinion, if it's green or red leafy it goes in a bowl along side other chopped raw veggies like cucumber, carrots, bell pepper and tomatoes to be topped off with a yummy dressing. That's my go to side salad. So isn't it lettuce? 🤷

• The Urban Farmer: Technically... Kind Of... a microgreen is one of the growth stages of any vegetable. We grow many different varieties, among them are lettuces.

  
  

Are Microgreens Just Tiny Lettuce? The Science of What Makes Them Different

Even though salad microgreens can technically be tiny lettuce leaves, there are more differences between growing a head of lettuce and lettuce microgreens. The major difference is seed to harvest grow time.

• Harvest Timeline:

  • Salad Microgreens: grow time to harvest is any where between 10–14 days depending on the variety. Regardless of variety, their peak time for harvest is right after the first "true leaves" appear.

  • Baby Greens / Mature Lettuce: grow time to harvest is any where between 20–60+ days depending on variety. Peek time for harvest varies.

In this instant gratification day and age we live in, that is a delightful plus to a less wait time.

Nutritional Punch

💡Did you know there have been numerous studies done on microgreen leaves and the "fruit" produced off the same variety of plant? Their published findings are amazing. One of the ones that got me personally interested in microgreens is that microgreens can contain up to 40 times more nutrients by weight than their fully mature counterparts. That is crazy! So I can eat a lot less and get even more nutrients. Plus, there are some of those fully mature counterparts that I cannot eat for various reasons. However, I have not found a microgreen that causes me medical digestion issues.

How to Use Microgreens

So how do you use microgreens in your daily cuisine? In the industry the standard answer is the 5 Ss: Salads, Sandwiches, Sautés, Soups, and Smoothies. I know, I know.. do you have the deer with headlights look? 🦌 When I give that answer it is the usual reaction I get. That is why I created our Tasty Additions microgreen recipes page to give you instant inspiration!

Here is a simple guideline to use:

• As a Base: Don't just use them as a tiny garnish! A handful of salad mix microgreens makes a potent, nutrient-dense base for a side salad.

• The Ultimate Topper: Elevate sandwiches, avocado toast, tacos, burgers, and even pizza.

• Blended In: Toss a handful into a smoothie for an even bigger nutrient boost without changing the taste or texture.

The Freshness Factor

In my opinion, this one is huge. Who knows for sure just how long ago that head of lettuce you picked up at the grocery store was harvested? It could have been in transit for days. And even though the bagged lettuce says "pre-washed," is it? Let's be real here. It was most likely grown in soil, and when anything is harvested from being soil grown it is dirty. Once you wash your produce it begins degrading. Moisture is produce's necessary worst enemy. Our microgreens are grown fresh right here in Jacksonville using a soil-free, grow-on-demand hydroponic set up—meaning you get clean microgreens at peak freshness and peak nutrition.

As the Urban Farmer replied, there are many different varieties of vegetables that are grown as microgreens. Here at Tasty Little Leaves Microgreens, LLC, we offer over 10 different varieties and are looking to expand that list over time. So head over to our Microgreens products page and order your On-Demand selection today. In just a matter of grow time you will have your fresh harvest.

P.S. Need some culinary inspiration for your delivery? Check out our Tasty Additions recipes to see how easily you can add them to any meal!