The tiny microgreens have gained popularity as enhancers of food because of their nutrient-dense features and dynamic flavors. Whether you grow them at home or buy choi microgreens online, you need a good measure to preserve them for long use. This is because of their tenderness, or else they will turn bad if not preserved properly.
However, through proper preservation methods, you can get to enjoy the longer freshness of these greens so that the nutritious content is not lost.
Let’s walk through some of the best methods for storing microgreens and how to use them in order to enhance your dishes without losing their freshness and potency.
Factors Affecting Microgreens’ Freshness
Microgreens, which include choi, kale, and wheatgrass, are delicate in flavor depending upon how their shelf life is stored. Some people who require preserving these may need to be aware of those conditions.
- Moisture
When microgreens are exposed to too much moisture, they will lose their rigidity, go moldy, or rot. So dryness is a must; ensure they are free of excess moisture before putting them away, and pat them gently with a paper towel if you notice droplets of water on the leaves.
- Airflow
Proper air circulation to keep the microgreens fresh is a must, neither too strong nor too gentle. Placing them in an airtight container can trap moisture, but open air can dehydrate them just as easily. The most ideal way to store them is in a vented container that allows good air circulation.
- Harvesting Time
Shelf life also depends on the timing of harvesting. Cool and firm microgreens harvested in the early morning retain their freshness longer than those harvested during the heated days.
Methods of Preserving Microgreens
Using the following storage techniques can maximize the shelf life of microgreens, allowing you to enjoy their fresher flavor.
- Refrigeration
Microgreens are best preserved in a refrigerator. For the best experience, maintain them at 34°F to 40°F (1°C to 4°C). The plant will wilt less quickly at this temperature but still hold on to its water. Do not place microgreens in the coldest parts of your fridge; that is, do not place them at the back since the freezing can destroy them.
- Paper Towel Method
Put a dry paper towel in the container, then place your microgreens. The paper towel will absorb the excess moisture and will keep the microgreens dry. If it gets too wet and soggy, replace it with a new one so the microgreens stay dry.
- Perfect Water Balance
Do not wash your microgreens upon harvesting. Once the terrible thing called spoiling happens, there’s no reason to carry around extra water. Just wash them before adding them to your meals.
Optimal Temperature for Storage
The ideal temperature for storage would be in the ranges of 34°F to 40°F (1°C to 4°C). This would enable microgreens to remain fresh and crispy. Also, it would not spoil fast. Microgreens can be stored for as long as a week if they are stored properly. Depending on the type and the freshness of when you bought them.
Benefits of Fresher Microgreens
Fresh, well-preserved microgreens can be really convenient and packed with many benefits. As long as you store them properly, the nutrition of the microgreens will not be compromised, so you will get the maximum amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Freshly preserved microgreens possess more potent health effects than older or wrongly stored ones because they might offer superior immunity support and, hence, better digestive capabilities. Freshly preserved microgreens also enhance heart health.
The Final Point
Proper storage can actually make you enjoy your meals with your freshly shopped Shop Choi microgreens online. Controls for moisture, the right containers, and refrigeration can extend the shelf life, thus continuing to enhance meals. Fresh microgreens may either be a topping or used in much more innovative dishes to introduce flavor and nutrients into your meal while enjoying their extended freshness.
