What Do Microgreens Taste Like? And Why Some Taste Even Better Than the Full-Grown Plant
What do microgreens taste like?
If you have never tried microgreens before, you might assume they all taste about the same.
Maybe a little grassy, maybe kind of bland, maybe more about looks than flavor.
We hear that kind of hesitation all the time.
Then someone takes a bite at one of our Taste & See events.
At a recent event, a young boy stopped by Luke's table, tried basil microgreens, and said, "It’s like basil," then after a pause he added, "but better!"
That one sentence explains a lot, and we've found that kids often give us really valuable feedback!
Microgreens usually do taste like the full-grown plant.
But they also often taste stronger and fresher, with a bit more flavor than people expect.
What to expect when it comes to the flavor of microgreens
This surprises a lot of people: microgreens are very young plants, but they are not flavorless.
In many cases, they carry the same basic flavor you would expect from the mature herb or vegetable. Microgreens are like the snozzberries in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory:
The snozzberries taste like snozzberries!
Radish microgreens taste peppery.
Pea shoots taste sweet and fresh.
Broccoli microgreens are mild and green.
Basil microgreens really do taste like basil.
That's why the boy's comment, "basil, but better," cracks us up—it couldn't be more true and simply put!
It's not that microgreens become a completely different food as they grow. It's that they come across as a fresher, cleaner, more concentrated version of a comfy, familiar flavor.
We like to think that how fresh they are when they get to you has a lot to do with how great they taste, especially compared to what you might get commercially.
Not all microgreens taste alike
Another common misconception is that microgreens all taste the same, like one big categorical lump of flavor.
In reality, they are worlds apart—they're just like us, totally individual!
Just like full-grown herbs and vegetables, different varieties bring very different flavor experiences.
Some are mild and easygoing. Some are a little hot. Some are herbal and fragrant. Some feel a little savory. Others are more oniony, or sharp.
The variety of microgreens available is part of what makes them fun, and it's also what makes them useful in real kitchens!
We all have different palates. Some people notice sweetness first. Some pay attention to bitterness. Some love that deep savory quality we call umami.
Microgreens let us all play with those differences in a simple, approachable way.
One benefit of using microgreens to do this is you don't have to commit to a lot of something unfamiliar.
You can start with a little and notice what wakes up your food in a way that makes you smile.
Herb microgreen flavors are especially potent
Herbs are where people really start to pay attention, because the flavors can be surprisingly intense.
Basil is a great example, so are cilantro and leek.
These are already flavorful plants when they are mature, so when people taste them as microgreens, they are often caught off guard by how much personality they've developed in their juvenile stage of growth.
Keep in mind though, this doesn't mean every microgreen is overpowering.
What it does mean is that microgreens aren't just for garnish or decoration.
They bring real flavor to the table and a small handful is often more than enough to shift the whole vibe of whatever it is you're creating.
What does the flavor of microgreens do for everyday meals?
For home cooks, all of the above is good news. Microgreens do not have to be mysterious. You can use them in places where you already enjoy fresh herbs or crisp greens. In fact, because some flavors are so familiar, it means those microgreens are a great place to start because you already know where those flavors traditionally go.
Here are a few examples:
- Stack Italian basil microgreens with some charcuterie board items and glaze with balsamic vinaigrette.
- Top oven-roasted veggies with leek microgreens.
- Try a quesadilla with radish microgreens and cilantro microgreens instead of just taco sauce, chicken, and cheese.
- Last but not least, replace iceberg lettuce with just about any microgreen of your choosing for a tastier sandwich, wrap, or burger.
Keep in mind, this is just the beginning, and that the goal is not to overthink using microgreens. Just dive in and take note of what happens when you add something fresh and full of flavor to the meals you already make.
Microgreens? Yes please!
Feeling inspired to try some new greens?
All of our microgreen options are available here in our online store. If you're not quite sure where to start, there's another choice on the menu. We offer what we call our Miscellaneous Microgreens. With misc. micros, you tell us how many clamshells you'd like, and we'll pick available items at random to fulfill your order. This is a great way to experiment with different flavors without overthinking it.
If you are the kind of person who enjoys finding small ways to make everyday meals taste brighter, microgreens just might end up becoming one of your favorite kitchen staples, so don't be afraid to branch out and try something new! And, as always, if you have questions, get in touch! We're here to help!
